“Thrilla” card takes shape

The “Thrilla In Manila” golden anniversary card is close to finalization with 11 fights confirmed on the bill and two more in the works as MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is burning the midnight oil to complete the pairings that will highlight the celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 29.

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The main event features WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem staking his throne against South Africa’s No. 2 contender Siyakholwa Kuse in a 12-rounder. It will be Jerusalem’s third defense of the crown. Kuse is ona six-fight win streak and totes a 9-2-1 record, with four KOs, compared to Jerusalem’s mark of 24-3, with 12 KOs.

In the chief aperitif, two-time Olympian Eumir Marcial faces Venezuelan KO artist Eddy Colmenares for the vacant WBC International middleweight title. Marcial will turn 30 on the day of the fight and is making his 10-round debut. His record is 6-0, with four KOs. Colmenares, 28, is known as “El Terrible” and boasts a record of 11-2-1 with 11 KOs. Both fighters are sluggers and the consensus is it won't go the distance.