Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons was over the moon in heralding the recent success of the “Thrilla In Manila” 50th anniversary celebration that was spearheaded by Manny Pacquiao. But he had three regrets. Gibbons said it would’ve been a dream come true if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed Eumir Marcial’s valiant win over Eddy Colmenares, if Mark Magsayo fought Italy’s Michael Magnesi in a co-main event and if “Thrilla” referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla was able to attend the festivities. Otherwise, it was a perfect setting although Gibbons said delays were a pain as the Smart Araneta Coliseum extravaganza started late and ended past midnight. But there were unexpected glitches that caused the time lags, including repairing the ring’s steel turnbuckles that morning and synching broadcast feeds, both local and international.

“The President made time in his schedule to come to Araneta as he wanted to watch Nico (Ali Walsh) and Eumir,” said Gibbons. “The delays pushed back the sequence of fights and we had to ask if we could hold up Georgiy Yunovidov’s bout. At first, the Russians wouldn’t agree but finally, they did. But it took away time from the President’s schedule to stay after Nico’s match so he missed Eumir.”

Marcial’s win by majority decision was the card’s best version of a “Thrilla” reprise. He survived two trips to the canvas, one in the third round and another in the 10th, to preserve his unbeaten record. Two judges, Jun Bae Lim and Arnie Najera, had it 95-93 while Jerrold Tomeldan saw it even, 94-all. The three judges scored it 10-8 in the 10th but a 10-9 would’ve been justified since Marcial dominated until the last few seconds when he was dropped. It would’ve been a unanimous verdict if the score in the 10th was 10-9. Marcial battled like a proud warrior and wouldn’t accept defeat before his countrymen.

Gibbons said it would’ve been a treat if Magsayo faced Magnesi in a WBC superfeatherweight title eliminator in a co-main event with Melvin Jerusalem’s WBC minimumweight championship defense against Siyakholwa Kuse. However, it would’ve entailed a big bump in the budget to bring Magnesi over. 

Finally, Gibbons said he missed Padilla’s presence. Padilla, who lives in Las Vegas, was two hours away from leaving for the airport to board a flight to Manila when he fell ill and was rushed to the hospital. The fear was Padilla had suffered a stroke or heart attack but he was later cleared to go home. On the hospital bed, he videoed a message of thanks to Pacquiao and the “Thrilla” anniversary organizers, shown on a big screen during the Gala Dinner where his granddaughter Karylle spoke and accepted a trophy of recognition on his behalf. Karylle sang the National Anthem before the Jerusalem-Kuse fight on the “Thrilla” card and the next day, flew to Las Vegas to present the trophy to Padilla.