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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider People's champ Pacquiao pays Marcos a visit

People's champ Pacquiao pays Marcos a visit

Published Aug 28, 2025 11:48 am  |  Updated Aug 28, 2025 01:48 pm
Filipino boxing champion and former senator Manny Pacquiao has paid a courtesy call on President Marcos following his comeback fight last month. 
Filipino boxing champion and former senator Manny Pacquiao pays a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace on Aug. 28, 2025 (Photo courtesy of PPA)
Filipino boxing champion and former senator Manny Pacquiao pays a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace on Aug. 28, 2025 (Photo courtesy of PPA)
Pacquiao, also known as the people's champ, visited Marcos at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday, Aug. 28, mainly to present his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt and to seek his support in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of "Thrilla in Manila." 
According to Pacquiao, Marcos expressed his support for the upcoming event, which aims to celebrate and pay tribute to the historic fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Manila in 1975.
 "So we asked his support at saka sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno para i-celebrate itong 50th anniversary ng Thrilla in Manila (So we asked for his support and all government agencies to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila)," Pacquiao said in an interview on the sidelines of the courtesy call. 
"Natuwa naman si Presidente and all out support naman siya (The President was pleased and he conveyed his all out support)," he added. 
The boxing icon also said that the President is "very interested" in the concept of Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary. 
During their conversation, Marcos shared to Pacquiao his encounter with Muhammad Ali and recalled that Ali even invited him inside the ring and demonstrated his punches.
"Yung experience niya kay Muhammad Ali nung nanood siya nung training ni Muhammad Ali. Pinaakyat siya sa ring tapos dinemo sa kanya yung mga punches na gagawin ni Muhammad Ali. Natuwa siya at di niya nakalimutan (His experience with Muhammad Ali — when he watched Muhammad Ali’s training. He was invited up to the ring, and Muhammad Ali demonstrated to him the punches he would use. He was delighted and never forgot it)," Pacquiao said.
Aside from showing his WBC belt, Pacquiao also handed over gloves as his gift to the President. 

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