Golden plans for ‘Thrilla’ tribute

MANILA, Philippines — A date has been set for the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila” and the goal is to stage a star-studded show, highlighted by three world championship fights involving Filipinos, on Oct. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled in 1975.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is spearheading preparations for the event and said eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao will back it up. “I’ve just spoken with the Senator who’s all for it,” said Gibbons in a call from his Las Vegas home. “It will be featured on his ‘Blow By Blow’ show.” The 1975 fight was held on Oct. 1, Wednesday morning, Manila time, for prime time night viewing in the US. Gibbons said the commemoration will be on a Saturday.

If plans don’t miscarry, Gibbons said a press conference to announce the coming event will be set up in February or March. For the commemoration, Gibbons said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Bob Arum, Don King, referee Sonny Padilla, Larry Holmes, Ali’s daughter Laila and Frazier’s daughter Jacqui will be invited. Both Arum and King were in Manila for the “Thrilla.” They’re now both 93. Holmes, 75, stopped Rodney Bobick on the “Thrilla” undercard and went on to become world champion. Laila, 46 and Jacqui, 63, fought in 2001 with Ali winning a majority decision. Laila is now a TV personality while Jacqui is a practicing lawyer. Ali’s grandson Nico Walsh, 24, is a pro middleweight and will be invited to fight on the commemorative undercard. Walsh, however, has not fought since May 2023. His record is 10-1 with five KOs and one no-contest.

Gibbons said stars will need to be aligned for three Filipinos to figure in world title fights in October. Projected to see action are WBC minimumweight ruler Melvin Jerusalem, WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo and WBC No. 2 superbantamweight Marlon Tapales. Jerusalem is lined up to stake his crown against Yudai Shigeoka in Japan in February or March and if he retains the belt, will defend it on the tribute card. Magsayo is due for a tune-up in February and will likely face No. 1 contender Rocky Hernandez in a title eliminator in May. If Magsayo wins, he’ll challenge for the WBC title here. Undisputed world superbantamweight champion Naoya Inoue is expected to move up to featherweight, leaving Tapales to battle for the vacant throne.