Philippines, 25 Mar 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Golden plans for ‘Thrilla’ tribute


PhilBoxing.com




A date has been set for the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla In Manila” and the goal is to stage a star-studded show, highlighted by three world championship fights involving Filipinos, on Oct. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled in 1975.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is spearheading preparations for the event and said eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao will back it up. “I’ve just spoken with the Senator who’s all for it,” said Gibbons in a call from his Las Vegas home. “It will be featured on his ‘Blow By Blow’ show.” The 1975 fight was held on Oct. 1, Wednesday morning, Manila time, for prime time night viewing in the US. Gibbons said the commemoration will be on a Saturday.

If plans don’t miscarry, Gibbons said a press conference to announce the coming event will be set up in February or March. For the commemoration, Gibbons said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Bob Arum, Don King, referee Sonny Padilla, Larry Holmes, Ali’s daughter Laila and Frazier’s daughter Jacqui will be invited. Both Arum and King were in Manila for the “Thrilla.” They’re now both 93. Holmes, 75, stopped Rodney Bobick on the “Thrilla” undercard and went on to become world champion. Laila, 46 and Jacqui, 63, fought in 2001 with Ali winning a majority decision. Laila is now a TV personality while Jacqui is a practicing lawyer. Ali’s grandson Nico Walsh, 24, is a pro middleweight and will be invited to fight on the commemorative undercard. Walsh, however, has not fought since May 2023. His record is 10-1 with five KOs and one no-contest.

Gibbons said stars will need to be aligned for three Filipinos to figure in world title fights in October. Projected to see action are WBC minimumweight ruler Melvin Jerusalem, WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo and WBC No. 2 superbantamweight Marlon Tapales. Jerusalem is lined up to stake his crown against Yudai Shigeoka in Japan in February or March and if he retains the belt, will defend it on the tribute card. Magsayo is due for a tune-up in February and will likely face No. 1 contender Rocky Hernandez in a title eliminator in May. If Magsayo wins, he’ll challenge for the WBC title here. Undisputed world superbantamweight champion Naoya Inoue is expected to move up to featherweight, leaving Tapales to battle for the vacant throne.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR JOURNALIST COLIN HART
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • Concio faces tough competition in Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • OKC Nips LA Clippers in Late Season Struggle; Keeps League Lead, Drops Clips to 8th
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • CHUA TAKES CONTROL AT THE TOP | 2025 IFX PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
    , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • IIEE champ in billiard, PICE repeats in bowling and GEP draws 1700 runners in PTC WED
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • Datamatics A are kings of Atty. Quirino Sagario Memorial Chess Team Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • Star Frisco: Fighting with Heart, Never with Fear
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION GEORGE FOREMAN
    , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • WORLD NINEBALL TOUR ANNOUNCES BLOCKBUSTER AUGUST SWING ACROSS AMERICA
    , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • Do the Oddsters Know Something We Don't?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • Sebastain Fundora Makes Long Awaited Return Headlining PBC on Amazon Prime Card
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • GEORGE FOREMAN (1949–2025): THE GENTLE GIANT WHO TAUGHT US TO FIGHT WITH KINDNESS
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • Top Rank's Statement on the Passing of George Foreman
    , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • IOC Executive Board Announces Olympic-Style Boxing Will be Included on LA28 Olympic Schedule
    , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • CAPITO EXTENDS HIS LEAD AS BATTLE HEATS UP | 2025 IFX PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
    , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • ABAP severs ties with IBA
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • April 5: Abdullah Mason Steps Up Against Carlos Ornelas on Richard Torrez Jr.-Guido Vianello Card at Palms Casino Resort LIVE on ESPN+
    , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • Weights From Atlantic City
    , Sat, 22 Mar 2025
  • KAMBOSOS JR VS. WYLLIE WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • Quezon City IIEE-PSME Simba’s Tribe courtesy visit to GAB Chair Rivera
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • Oklahoma Takes NBA Overall Lead; Race for West Top 6, Play-in Still On
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • IBA congratulates newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry, expresses hope for bold reforms
    , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • Magramo clips Cuarto, bags WBC Intl plum
    , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • Magramo is new WBC International light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 21 Mar 2025
  • Brian Norman Jr.: “It Won’t Be a Long Fight!”
    , Fri, 21 Mar 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.