‘THRILLA IN MANILA 2’. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1975 Thrilla in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday (Oct. 29, 2025) night. The event, dubbed “Thrilla in Manila 2,” was held to commemorate the legendary 1975 Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier bout and also featured top Filipino fighters showcasing local boxing talent on the global stage. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday night joined boxing fans in celebrating the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila,” the legendary 1975 bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Marcos arrived with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and was welcomed by boxing legend and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is also the founder and chief executive officer of boxing promotion MP Promotions.
Also present during the commemorative boxing event, dubbed “Thrilla in Manila 2,” were Araneta City owner and former Sen. Mar Roxas II and Araneta Group of Companies chairperson Jorge Araneta.
Marcos witnessed the fight between Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh and Thai boxer Kittisak Klinsom in a middleweight clash, which ended in a draw, according to the Presidential Communications Office press release on Thursday.
In a Facebook post, Marcos reflected on the country’s historic role in hosting the 1975 bout, calling it “a moment that cemented our country’s place in global sports.”
“Fifty years ago, the world watched the Philippines host one of the greatest boxing matches in history. The Thrilla in Manila was a moment that cemented our country’s place in global sports,” he said.
Marcos also lauded the enduring legacy of Filipino boxing excellence, led by Pacquiao.
“Tonight, we honor that legacy by celebrating a new generation of champions who continue to bring pride to our nation. Congratulations to our People’s Champ, Manny Pacquiao, for keeping this milestone alive and inspiring every Filipino athlete to aim higher and fight harder,” he added.
Thrilla in Manila 2 also featured top Filipino boxers pitted against foreign fighters.
The participating Filipino boxers included World Boxing Council (WBC) Strawweight World Champion Melvin Jerusalem in the main event; Eumir Marcial in the WBC International Middleweight championship bout; and Carl Jammes Martin and Marlon Tapales in the junior featherweight matches.
Aside from celebrating the iconic 1975 Ali-Frazier heavyweight championship boxing match, Thrilla in Manila 2 aims to highlight the Philippines’ rich sporting heritage and promote Filipino talent in the global boxing community.
On Sept. 25, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular 99, directing all agencies and instrumentalities to support the celebration of the golden anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila.
The Ali-Frazier showdown during the first Thrilla in Manila held at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 1, 1975 was personally attended by then president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and the First Family.
Ali won by corner retirement after Frazier’s chief second, Eddie Futch, asked the referee to stop the fight at the end of the 14th round. The clash capped the fighters’ three-bout rivalry, which Ali took, 2–1.
Marcos Sr. personally handed the trophy to Ali. (PNA)