| |
|
Spicing up “Thrilla” card
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Sep 2025
It looks like at least 13 fights will be on the bill for the “Thrilla In Manila” 50th anniversary commemoration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 29 with the main event featuring WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem in his third title defense against South African No. 2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse.
The “Blow By Blow” card is still being assembled and promoter Manny Pacquiao has asked MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons to include a heavyweight bout, if possible, since the original “Thrilla” pitted two heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Gibbons was also given the green light to bring in Ali’s grandson Nico Walsh, a middleweight with a 12-2 record, including five KOs.
Negotiations are ongoing to confirm the fights. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is expected to attend the celebration. Before the “Thrilla” event, there are plans to stage a gala dinner with VIP guests and a kickoff boxing show where IBF minimumweight titlist Pedro Taduran will stake his crown. Pacquiao is personally overseeing preparations for the week-long festivities.
Among the fighters being lined up are undefeated middleweight/Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, unbeaten WBO No. 1 superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin, middleweight KO artist Weljon Mindoro, WBC No 2/IBF No. 3/WBO No. 4 superbantamweight Marlon Tapales, WBC International lightflyweight champion Arvin Magramo and Philippine flyweight ruler Albert Francisco. It’ll be a unique gathering of southpaws as Marcial, Martin, Tapales, Magramo, Francisco and Kuse are lefthanders.
Organizers are hoping to invite original “Thrilla” co-promoters Bob Arum and Don King, “Thrilla” referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, Ali’s daughter Laila and Frazier’s daughter Jacqui so the commemoration ties in with the 1975 epic. Several boxing personalities, including referee Kenny Bayless, have expressed interest to join the celebration.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
