Spicing the “Thrilla” card

It looks like at least 13 fights will be on the bill for the “Thrilla In Manila” 50th anniversary commemoration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 29 with the main event featuring WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem in his third title defense against South African No. 2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse.

The “Blow By Blow” card is still being assembled and promoter Manny Pacquiao has asked MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons to include a heavyweight bout, if possible, since the original “Thrilla” pitted two heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Gibbons was also given the green light to bring in Ali’s grandson Nico Walsh, a middleweight with a 12-2 record, including five KOs.

Negotiations are ongoing to confirm the fights. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is expected to attend the celebration. Before the “Thrilla” event, there are plans to stage a gala dinner with VIP guests and a kickoff boxing show where IBF minimumweight titlist Pedro Taduran will stake his crown. Pacquiao is personally overseeing preparations for the week-long festivities.

Among the fighters being lined up are undefeated middleweight/Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, unbeaten WBO No. 1 superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin, middleweight KO artist Weljon Mindoro, WBC No 2/IBF No. 3/WBO No. 4 superbantamweight Marlon Tapales, WBC International lightflyweight champion Arvin Magramo and Philippine flyweight ruler Albert Francisco. It’ll be a unique gathering of southpaws as Marcial, Martin, Tapales, Magramo, Francisco and Kuse are lefthanders.

Organizers are hoping to invite original “Thrilla” co-promoters Bob Arum and Don King, “Thrilla” referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, Ali’s daughter Laila and Frazier’s daughter Jacqui so the commemoration ties in with the 1975 epic. Several boxing personalities, including referee Kenny Bayless, have expressed interest to join the celebration.