PEOPLE’S Champ and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao yesterday invited and sought the support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the coming 50th anniversary of the “Thrilla in Manila” in October.
Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on the President in Malacañang and presented his World Boxing Champion (WBC) belt, which he received after his comeback fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios last July 19 in Las Vegas.
He also gave the President boxing gloves as a gift and presented the plan for the hosting of the celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila 2” tentatively set on Oct. 29.
He also asked for the support of Marcos and other government agencies for the celebration, which would be highlighted by several boxing matches.
“Natutuwa naman si Presidente, all out support naman siya (The President is happy, he is giving it his all-out support),” he said in an interview after the courtesy call.
The “Thrilla in Manila,” held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Oct. 1, 1975, featured heavyweight stars Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier III. Ali won after Frazier’s manager stopped the fight after the 14th round.
Pacquiao said the President is very excited about the coming event and even shared his experience when he met Ali.
“Nung nanood siya ng training ni Muhammad Ali and then pina-akyat siya sa ring, sa stage tapos di-nemo sa kanya ‘yung mga punches na gagawin ni Muhammad Ali, ‘yung bilis ni Muhammad Ali. Natuwa niya at hindi niya nakalimutan (While he was watching the training of Muhammad Ali, he was asked to go to the ring and was shown some of the punches that Ali was practicing, and he saw the speed of Muhammad Ali. He was really happy and did not forget it),” he said.
Last May, Pacquiao, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, and MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons announced the holding of the “Thrilla in Manila Part 2” this October to recreate and commemorate the bout. Details are still being finalized.
