Fifty years after Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s legendary third encounter shook the boxing world, Manny Pacquiao is reviving the spirit of that night with “Thrilla in Manila 2.” The commemorative card, set for October 29 at the historic Araneta Coliseum, honors the golden anniversary of the original 1975 classic - though even Pacquiao admits the event can never truly match its predecessor.
Pacquiao, the Philippines’ own eight-division world champion, is leading the celebration through his promotional company, Manny Pacquiao Promotions. The card marks a milestone for the organization as it expands its U.S. operations, signaling Pacquiao’s growing influence as a global promoter. “I wasn’t born when the original fight happened, and I’m leading the promotion now,” he said proudly at the event’s press conference.
Headlining the card will be WBC strawweight champion Melvin Jerusalem, who defends his title against South Africa’s Ayanda Kuse. The undercard includes Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, super bantamweight contender Marlon Tapales, and Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali.
While “Thrilla in Manila 2” carries nostalgic weight, it also faces the heavy burden of expectation. The original Ali–Frazier fight remains one of boxing’s most brutal and emotionally charged encounters, a contest defined by pride, pain, and a rivalry unmatched in sporting history. This new event, for all its ambition, can only pay homage to that legacy rather than replicate it.
In truth, Pacquiao’s card serves more as a bridge between eras - a tribute to what boxing once was and a statement about its future.
Fight card:
▪️Melvin Jerusalem vs. Siyakholwa Kuse, 12 rounds, for the WBC World minimumweight title
▪️Eumir Felix Marcial vs. Eddy Colmenares, 10 rounds, for the vacant WBC International middleweight title
▪️Carl Martin vs. Aran Dipaen, 10 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Arvin Magramo vs. Berland Robles, 10 rounds, for the WBC International light flyweight title
▪️Marlon Tapales vs. Nadir Baloch, 10 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Albert Francisco vs. Ramel Macado Jr., 8 rounds, flyweight
▪️Ronerick Ballesteros vs. Speedy Boy Acope, 8 rounds, lightweight
▪️Nico Ali Walsh vs. Patumpong Saengarun, 8 rounds, middleweight
▪️Roderick Bautista vs. Adrian Dulayba, 6 rounds, flyweight
▪️Ariel Antimaro vs. Jubert Buhat, 6 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Eman Bacosa vs. Nico Salado, 6 rounds, lightweight
