Pacman to stage ‘Thrilla’ celebration
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Mar 2025
Boxing icon and the only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is staging a major celebration to commemorate the “Thrilla In Manila” on its 50th golden anniversary this year with the goal of cementing the country’s legacy in global sports.
Pacquiao intends to highlight the week-long event with a boxing card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled before over 36,000 fans on Oct. 1, 1975. At least two world title fights featuring Filipinos will headline the show. The card will be on “Blow By Blow,” the TV program that launched Pacquiao’s career in 1995 and he revived in 2022. Event organizer Liza Elorde said plans are still being mapped out and will be finalized after the coming elections. The fights will be on Oct. 4, a Saturday and on the anniversary date itself, Oct. 1, a gala dinner will be held at the Okada Manila Hotel and Resort.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said Elorde and the “Blow by Blow” staff, headed by CEO Marife Barrera, will spearhead the staging of the festivities. The world title fights will be determined depending on the availability of WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem, IBF minimumweight titlist Pedro Taduran and contenders Mark Magsayo, Marlon Tapales and Carl Jammes Martin. The undercard could feature Ali’s grandson Nico Walsh and possibly, Pacquiao’s son Jimuel. “If ever Jimuel decides to turn pro, it would be amazing if he could do it on the anniversary show,” said Gibbons. “He trains everyday at Wild Card in LA and is very dedicated to improve his craft.”
Expected to attend the celebration are “Thrilla” co-promoters Bob Arum and Don King, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, referee Carlos Padilla, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Ali confidante Gene Kilroy. According to boxing enthusiast Eric Schmidt, Kilroy was at ringside for the “Thrilla” and gave $100 to a boy to deliver a bucket of ice cubes before the fight. The ice cubes were slid into Ali’s trunks in between rounds to cool him from the high humidity. Kilroy, 84, told Schmidt he wouldn’t miss coming for the celebration. Kilroy was a pallbearer in Ali’s funeral. Padilla, 90, also confirmed his attendance to Schmidt.
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