Thrilla In Manila:Third of a Series
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Oct 2015
Muhammad Ali, who was to defend his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association heavyweight championship, and challenger and former titlist Joe Frazier, set foot in Manila separately two weeks before their historic October 1, 1975 encounter at the Araneta Coliseum.
From the Manila International Airport, the "Greatest" and "Smokin" Joe, along with heir parties -- 31 for Ali and 17 for Frazier-- were whisked to their official homes in the duration of their stay in the country.
The Manila Hilton (now Holiday Inn) along United Nations Avenue in Manila was the place Ali called home. For Frazier, it was the stone throw away Hyatt Regency (now Midas Hotel) along Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City.
The fight venue was the Araneta Coliseum, known also as the Big Dome, in nearby Quezon City which was re-Christened Philippine Coliseum for the purpose of justifying the fight's adopted name "Thrilla In Manila."
The stadium, owned by the rich Araneta family, and inaugurated in 1961, the year local boxing hero Gabriel "Flash" Elorde took the world junior-lightweight crown, had undergone massive renovation to conform to the magnitude of the fight and whims of promoter Don King.
Indeed, the government, led by then President Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos themselves, left no stone unturned in giving what the protagonists, members of their parties, international boxing officials, member of foreign media and other guests deserved in terms of comfort and convenience and making the affair a resounding success.
Some 80 journalists, representing the best and the finest in the profession such as Red Smith of the New York Times, William Grimsley and Ed Schuyler of the Associated Press and Bob Stewart of the United Press International, among others, were on hand in doing the coverage.
It was no surprise, therefore, that 40 years after the smoke of battle had extinguished, the Thrilla was adjudged the "Fight of the Year" in 1975, "Super Fight III" and "Fight of All-Time" by The Ring Magazine. ESPN ranked the classic showdown fifth "Greatest Event of All-Time."
In his desire to make the event a truly Philippine show, President Marcos directed then Games and Amusement Board chair Luis Tabuena to be on the top of the situation in the choice of the referee and judges who will decide the outcome of the fight.
Filipino fight judges Larry Nadayag and Alfredo Quiazon were designated to man the ringside and veteran referee and entertainment personality Carlos "Sonny" Padilla Jr. the third man on the ring.
Learning his lesson in the Ali-Frazier II, which like the Super Fight I Frazier and his camp thought the pride of Philadelphia won, Hall of Fame trainer Eddie Futch first expressed apprehension on the selection of Padilla, himself a former fighter like his Olympian father Carlos Sr. and uncle Jose Jr.
Futch confronted Tabuena, reminding the latter of how referee Tony Perez had bungled the second fight. "Look, the event puts the Philippines in the world spotlight. You need a ref who can control the fight, or else the world will laugh at you," Futch told Tabuena.
This prompted President Marcos himself to invite, Futch and members of both Ali and Frazier camps in a meeting where he assured everyone that he and the entire Filipino nation take pride that they are hosting the fight and, therefore, they wanted no hitches.
Three beautiful ladies -- Pink Alberto, Evelyn Abrigos and Emma Infante -- were selected to act as round girls. They were among the 12 candidates recommended by Tabuena and approved by King.
Television broadcaster now Standard Today correspondent Ronnie Nathanielsz was named Ali's camp press liaison. This reporter, then sports editor of the Philippines News Agency, did the job for Frazier.
Adding significance to the affair was the Philippines hosting, too, of the 54th World Boxing Association Convention that was attended by practically who's who in the international boxing community.
Photo: Then heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali held a press conference upon his arrival in Manila in September, 1975 ahead of his third fight against Joe Frazier scheduled on Oct. 1, 1975 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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