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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider PH boxers plunge into big action in 'Thrilla in Manila 2'

PH boxers plunge into big action in 'Thrilla in Manila 2'

Published Oct 28, 2025 04:25 pm

At A Glance

  • It will be remembered in a classic display of Filipino fighting spirit when Melvin Jerusalem leads a pack of local sluggers against challengers ready to spoil the home celebration in the Thrilla in Manila 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Melvin Jerusalem leads the PH pugs against their respective foes in the Thrilla in Manila 2.
Melvin Jerusalem leads the PH pugs against their respective foes in the Thrilla in Manila 2.
Fifty years since that one fateful day at the Big Dome, the memories of the bloody encounter between the great Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier remain vivid through the pages of history books and the recollections of those who have witnessed the 14-round battle many consider as the greatest bout of all.
It will be remembered in a classic display of Filipino fighting spirit when Melvin Jerusalem leads a pack of local sluggers against challengers ready to spoil the home celebration in the Thrilla in Manila 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
The 31-year-old Jerusalem (24-3-0) stakes his WBC minimumweight strap against South African challenger Siyakhol Kuse (9-2-1), who is hoping to break his country’s drought of owning boxing world titles.
“Malaking karangalan po ‘to para sa akin kasi history po ‘to, anniversary ‘to ng Thrilla in Manila, I’m more excited than pressure, kasi maraming manood na mga kababayan natin,” said Jerusalem during event’s press conference Tuesday, Oct. 28.
“Isa ‘to sa pinakamalaking laban ko bilang isang boksingero,” he added.
The pride of Bukidnon is coming from a triumphant campaign in Japan last May where he defended his crown against hometown bet Yudai Shigeoka via unanimous decision last March, while Kuse prevailed in a similar fashion over Filipino Samuel Salva in the same month in South Africa.
“This would be big for my country, I’ll do my best to put up a great fight,” said Kuse.
Aside from Jerusalem, Eumir Marcial (6-0-0) plunges into his first title bout against Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares (11-2-1) for the vacant WBC International middleweight belt.
“War talaga ‘to, tingin ko bagsakan talaga ‘to bukas, ‘yon ang sabi nya giyera, kaya ibibigay ko sa kanya ‘yon,” said Marcial, who also expressed his desire of continuing his duty for the Nationals in the international meets.
Also taking the spotlight are Philippine boxing stars Marlon Tapales (40-4-0) who is battling Venezuela’s Fernando Toro (11-2-0), while Carl Jammes Martin (26-0-0) locks horns with Thai Aran Dipaen (21-4-0).
Headlining the rising stars is ‎Eman Bacosa (6-0-1), son of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who dives into an all-Filipino clash against Nico Salado (2-1-1).
The celebration wouldn’t be complete without the family members of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and other notable boxers who were part of the boxing spectacle 50 years ago.
Ali’s grandchild Nico Ali Walsh (11-2-0) is literally taking part in the commemoration as he squares off with Thai Kittisak Klinson (10-2-0) in the Manny Pacquiao-promoted slugfest that also included other foreign and local fighters.
"It's a great opportunity for me to honor him with a fight, so expect nothing but spectacular performance from me," said Walsh.
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