Earlier in the evening, Washington’s eyes widened when a framed collection of autographs by 19 superfamous boxers went on the block during the live auction. “Oh, boy,” he said. Then he raised his hand. $20,000 going once, going twice, sold to Denzel.

“I got a copy of the [Muhammad] Ali one already,” he told the people at his table. “But that has Joe Louis’ autograph, and he ain’t signing no more.”  

Looking VERY nice gentlemen!

If he’d wanted to, Washington could have snagged a fresh one from the three-time world heavyweight champ himself anyway. Because the evening’s other honorees included two of the greatest athletes of all time – Ali and Hank Aaron, a 24-time Major League Baseball all-star. And the presenters – who included sports stars such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, Julius “Dr. J.” Erving, Mark Spitz, Dave Winfield, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson and Rayford Johnson — weren’t so shabby themselves.

Photo: Tiffany Rose / WireImage