Pacman to stage 'Thrilla' celebration

Boxing icon and the only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is staging a major celebration to commemorate the "Thrilla In Manila" on its 50th golden anniversary this year with the goal of cementing the country's legacy in global sports.

- By JOAQUIN HENSON

Pacquiao intends to highlight the week-long event with a boxing card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled before over 36,000 fans on Oct. 1, 1975. At least two world title fights featuring Filipinos will headline the show. The card will be on "Blow By Blow," the TV program that launched Pacquiao's career in 1995 and he revived in 2022. Event organizer Liza Elorde said plans are still being mapped out and will be finalized after the coming elections. The fights will be on Oct. 4, a Saturday and on the anniversary date itself, Oct. 1, a gala dinne