Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions has teamed up with IBA Pro to stage ‘Thrilla in Manila 2’.
Fifty years after heavyweight greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier closed out their legendary trilogy at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, big-time boxing returns to the iconic venue.
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Pacquiao will co-promote the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary show with IBA ProCredit: Getty
On October 29, Filipino WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem (22-3) defends his green and gold strap against South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse (9-2-1) in a hometown headliner.
Also featured on the card is cruiserweight contender and grandson of ‘The Greatest’, Nico Ali Walsh (11-2).
The American squares off against Kittisak Klinson (10-2) of Thailand in a six-round bout.
“Fighting in Manila, where my grandfather made history, is a dream come true,” said Ali Walsh.
I’m Muhammad Ali’s grandson who never wanted to fight – now I’m an undefeated MMA star chasing world titles to prove I belong
“I’m bringing everything I’ve got against Klinson to honour that legacy and show the world who I am. Expect fireworks!”
Further down the bill, former two-weight world champion Marlon Tapales takes on Venezuela’s Fernando Toro (11-2) on home soil, while Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial (6-0) is in action as well.
There is also a spot on the undercard for Pacquiao’s son Eman Bacosa Pacquiao (6-0-1) and unbeaten Filipino star Carl Jammes ‘ Wonder Boy’ Martin (26-0), who takes on Thailand’s Aran Dipaen (21-4).
What happened in the first Thrilla in Manila?
The original ‘Thrilla in Manila’ on October 1, 1975, has been etched into the annals of boxing history.
Ali and Frazier’s tally was tied at one apiece heading into their rubber match.
Frazier had handed Ali his first professional defeat in 1971 at Madison Square Garden with a masterful unanimous decision victory before the Louisville technician exacted his revenge three years later.
‘Thrilla in Manila 2’ undercard
Melvin Jerusalem vs Siyakholwa Kuse – WBC minimumweight world title fight
Marlon Tapales vs Fernando Toro – super bantamweight
Nico Ali Walsh vs Kittisak Klinson – cruiserweight
Carl Jammes Martin vs Aran Dipaen – super bantamweight
Eumir Marcial vs Eddy Colmenares – middleweight
Eman Bacosa Pacquiao vs Nico Salado – lightweight
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Ali Walsh will fight at the same venue as his grandfather 50 years laterCredit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Under the sweltering Filipino sun, Ali finally put a distance between himself and his fierce rival by retiring Frazier on his stool at the end of the 14th round.
En route to the eventual stoppage, they fought tooth and nail in one of the most punishing bouts of all time.
Named Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year, Ali and Frazier combined to land a remarkable 797 punches as they set a frantic pace from the opening bell.
It was a gruelling spectacle that took a toll on both men, with neither fully recovering from the damage that was dished out that night.
Ali later admitted that his third fight with Frazier was the closest thing to death he had ever experienced, branding his foe “the greatest fighter of all time, next to me.”
Frazier would tell Sports Illustrated that he hit Ali with “punches that’d bring down the walls of a city,” adding, “Lawdy, Lawdy, he’s a great champion.”