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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Pacquiao: 'Thrilla in Manila 2' an opportunity to showcase Pinoy talents

Pacquiao: 'Thrilla in Manila 2' an opportunity to showcase Pinoy talents

Published Oct 2, 2025 11:27 am

At A Glance

  • Apart from honoring one of boxing's greatest spectacles, which featured the legendary fight between late greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Pacquiao sees it as an opportunity to gift the Filipino pugs a well-deserved exposure and experience on Oct. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Manny Pacquiao continues his mission of inspiring the youth and promoting Philippine boxing. (Santi San Juan/MB)
Manny Pacquiao continues his mission of inspiring the youth and promoting Philippine boxing. (Santi San Juan/MB)
Manny Pacquiao is driven by his mission of inspiring the youth and molding them to become the next generation of world-class Filipino boxers.
For this reason he organized the 50th anniversary celebration of the iconic "Thrilla in Manila" to set as an example of giving back to the country he once served wholeheartedly for decades.
Apart from honoring one of boxing's greatest spectacles, which featured the legendary fight between late greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Pacquiao sees it as an opportunity to gift the Filipino pugs a well-deserved exposure and experience on Oct. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s a big help for our boxers na mabigyan ng break, malaking bagay ‘to sa ibang boxers na mapakita ‘yong talent nila, and to encourage sila,” said Pacquiao during a press conference held in a restaurant in Quezon City Wednesday, Oct. 1.
“Karamihan ng mga boxers na nae-encounter ko, para silang nanlulumo kasi walang nagpo-promote kaya sinisikap natin ng promotion, like Blow-by-blow, magka-chance silang lumaban, mahasa sila,” he added.
Expect fireworks at the Big Dome as Melvin Jerusalem, the WBC world minimum strap holder, banners the fight card together with former Olympian Eumir Marcial, Marlon Tapales, Carl Jammes Martin, and Eman Bacosa.
“Excited ako and happy, lumaban nako rito sa Araneta, then now magpo-promote ako ng big fight [na gaya nito], world title fight and celebration of 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila,” Pacquiao continued.
“It’s an honor and I’m happy na kahit na hindi pako pinapanganak no’ng time na ‘yon, ako ‘yong nagli-lead for this promotion,” he added.
Pacquiao, who was born three years and two months after the Ali-Frazier collision, had fought thrice at the Araneta Coliseum. There, the country’s boxing pride won via technical knockout twice and unanimous decision once, with the last one against Mexican Oscar Larrios in 2006.
The Pacquiao-backed boxing card is expected to gather fans together after Malacañang issued a Memorandum Circular No. 99 which encourages all Filipinos from different sectors to support the commemoration. It was directed by no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is backing it up with Smart Araneta Coliseum and Araneta City supporting it too.
"Excited ang ating pangulo, because naganap 'tong Thrilla in Manila, presidente pa 'yong tatay nya, now celebrating 50th anniversary, sya naman ang pangulo," said Pacquiao. "Andyan sila nakasuporta and 'yong ibang sangay ng gobyerno, all out support sila."

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