LOS ANGELES -- A day after he was named to star in an international campaign promoting tolerance, boxing legend Muhammad Ali took one on the chin for making ethnic jokes at the premiere party for the biographical movie "Ali."

The Anti-Defamation League has issued a statement expressing "disappointment" at remarks Ali made before a crowd of politicians and Hollywood figures on Wednesday night at the Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C's posh Georgetown section.

The group said the two ethnic jokes delivered by the former heavyweight boxing champion were "unfortunate given the champ's long-standing commitment to causes of multiculturalism."

"While we understand that his intent was not to offend, in using ethnic stereotypes, an iconic figure like Muhammad Ali gives license to others to repeat them as slurs," said ADL national director Abraham Foxman.

Indeed, the V.I.P. screening for "Ali," starring Will Smith as the Greatest, was a fund-raiser for the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum and educational facility Ali plans to build in his native Louisville, Ky., to promote conflict resolution and multiculturalism.

The following day, Motion Picture Association of America president Jack Valenti unveiled plans for a global public service announcement featuring Ali and the message that the American war on terrorism is not a war against Islam or Arabs.

Despite all that, and the protestations of his wife, Lonnie -- who, according to the Washington Post, was overheard pleading, "No, no, no, don't" -- Ali, 58, delivered a one-two punch of politically incorrect humor as he took the microphone at the premiere party.

"What's the difference between a Jew and a canoe?" Ali asked, his voice muffled from the effects of Parkinson's disease. "A canoe tips."

The joke, according to the Post, was met with laugher, some of it uncomfortable, but Ali continued. "A black, a Puerto Rican and a Mexican are in a car. Who's driving?" he asked. "The police."

Sue Carls, a spokeswoman for the Muhammad Ali Center, was quoted by the Post afterward as saying, "These are not new jokes. Muhammad tells them all the time because he likes to make people laugh, and he shocks people to make a point. He always manages to defuse any situation that seems overly reverential."

Ali's wife had the last word on Friday, issuing a brief statement to Reuters when asked about the incident.

"Even the Greatest can tell bad jokes."