Two Historic Fight Cards Set for October 26 ਅਤੇ ਅਕਤੂਬਰ 29 in Manila to Celebrate the
50th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
MANILA, ਫਿਲੀਪੀਨਜ਼— In celebration of one of boxing’s most iconic fights of all time, Manny Pacquiao ਤਰੱਕੀਆਂ (MPP) proudly announces a monumental double-header: Countdown to Thrilla in Manila 'ਤੇਐਤਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ, ਅਕਤੂਬਰ. 26, 'ਤੇSan Andres Coliseum, followed by the landmarkਮਨੀਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ Thrilla 50 'ਤੇ ਘਟਨਾਬੁੱਧਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ, ਅਕਤੂਬਰ. 29, 'ਤੇSmart Araneta Coliseum.
A historical extravaganza across two action-packed nights of boxing, legendary boxer-turned-promoter ਮੈਨੀ Pacquiao, with the help of MPP President Sean Gibbons, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Tony Cohen, and Lead Matchmaker Brendan Gibbons, have architected a monumental spectacle for the passionate Filipino fans. Countdown to Thrilla in Manila ਅਤੇ ਮਨੀਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ Thrilla 50 serve as the last two tentpole events before MPP’s highly anticipated U.S. ਤੇ ਪਰਥਮ ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ, ਨਵੰਬਰ 29 'ਤੇ Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.
Both shows will honor the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s epic 1975 heavyweight showdown, one of the most legendary bouts in sports history, while showcasing the Philippines’ finest
fighters and rising international talent.
EVENT 1 — COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA
ਅਕਤੂਬਰ 26 | San Andres Coliseum, Malate, Manila
TheCountdown to Thrilla in Manila card kicks off the week’s festivities with three IBF titles up for grabs, headlined by reigning IBF Minimumweight World ChampionPedro Taduran (18-4-1, 13 ਕੋਸ) defending against mandatory challengerChristian Balunan (12-0, 7 ਕੋਸ).
ਸਹਿ-ਮੁੱਖ ਘਟਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ, top-ten IBF contendersEsneth Domingo (22-3, 14 ਕੋਸ) ਅਤੇMiel Fajardo (12-3-2, 11 ਕੋਸ) collide for the vacantIBF Pan Pacific Flyweight Championship. Undefeated Hong Kong starRex Tso (23-0, 14 ਕੋਸ) faces India’sSagar Chouhan(7-0-2, 3 ਕੋਸ), the reigning UBO Champion, for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Bantamweight Title.
Several additional fights will be on display for fans in attendance, highlighted by a pair of unbeaten Filipino featherweights asLienard “The Matrix” Sarcon (13-0, 5 ਕੋਸ) ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਚਲਾ ਹੈJunibert Bantay (9-0, 1 KO) in a ten-round battle.
Gretel De Paz(7-7-3, 2 ਕੋਸ) will go eight rounds or less withCharimae Salvador (5-9, 2 ਕੋਸ) for the vacant Philippine Women’s Bantamweight Title.
ਸਫਲਤਾਪੂਰਵਕClaire Villarosa (4-0-1, 2 ਕੋਸ) will run it back withJohn Rey Labajo (4-3-2, 4 ਕੋਸ) for the vacant Philippine Youth Super Flyweight Title in an eight-round affair after their first bout this past August ended in a majority draw.
Promising Filipino prospectsArvin Jhon Paciones (11-0, 6 ਕੋਸ), Noli James Maquilan (11-3, 8 ਕੋਸ), ਅਤੇZyvyr Medecilo (6-0, 3 ਕੋਸ) round out the undercard.
“Manny Pacquiao Promotions is bringing thisCountdown to Thrilla in Manila card to the Philippines to give local fans a world-class event at home while celebrating the legacy of the original Thrilla, which made boxing fans out of so many people around the world,” said MPP PresidentSean Gibbons. “We’re thrilled to be highlighting these incredible athletes, ਮੁਫਤ ਵਿਚ, in what is the perfect prelude to an unforgettable anniversary night at Araneta.”
EVENT 2 — THRILLA IN MANILA 50
ਅਕਤੂਬਰ 29 | Smart Araneta Coliseum, Manila
Capping the celebration, ਮਨੀਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ Thrilla 50 will feature a stacked international lineup, replete with three WBC title fights, headlined by WBC Minimumweight World ChampionMelvin Jerusalem (24-3, 12 ਕੋਸ), who defends his title against South Africa’sSiyakholwa Kuse (9-2-1, 4 ਕੋਸ) in a 12-round affair.
“This is more than an event, it is a bridge between generations,"ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿਮੈਨੀ Pacquiao of MPP. “Fifty years after Ali and Frazier made history, we return to Manila to honor their greatness and to show the world that the spirit of boxing in the Philippines is stronger than ever.”
2020 ਓਲੰਪਿਕ ਤਮਗਾ ਜੇਤੂEumir Felix Marcial (6-0, 4 ਕੋਸ) takes on Venezuelan knockout artistEddy Colmenares (11-2-1, 11 ਕੋਸ) in a 10-round co-main event for the vacant WBC International Middleweight Title.
A third title fight features WBC International Light Flyweight ChampionArvin “Hurricane” Magramo (19-2-1, 11 ਕੋਸ) going toe-to-toe with fellow Filipino Berland Robles (12-0-1, 5 ਕੋਸ) in a 10-round tilt.
Also appearing on the card:
Nico Ali Walsh (11-2, 5 ਕੋਸ), grandson of Muhammad Ali, is returning to the Philippines to honor his grandfather’s legacy againstKittisak Klinson (10-2, 6 ਕੋਸ) in an eight-round middleweight bout. In his third outing of 2025, Ali Walsh is poised for a career-defining performance that promises to become a landmark moment in his burgeoning career.
A pair of Filipino Super Bantamweights will look to put on a show for their countrymen as 26-year-old FilipinoCarl “Wonder Boy” Martin(26-0, 20 ਕੋਸ) takes on Thailand’sAran Dipaen (21-4, 18 ਕੋਸ), while 33-year-old Filipino fan-favoriteMarlon Tapales (40-4, 21 ਕੋਸ) takes on VenezuelanFernando Toro (11-2, 9 ਕੋਸ). Both Super Bantamweight contests are scheduled for ten rounds.
“Spearheading this event has been a tremendous honor,” said Lead MatchmakerBrendan Gibbons. “The Philippines stand as one of the boxing capitals of the world. ਦੋਨੋCountdown to Thrilla in ManilaਅਤੇThrilla in Manila 50will see electric matchups featuring budding Filipino stars asMPP proudly recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila.”
ABOUT MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS
Manny Pacquiao ਤਰੱਕੀਆਂ (MPP) is the global boxing promotion company founded by international icon and Hall of Famer Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions. ਵਿਚ ਸਥਾਪਿਤ 2025, MPP is dedicated to building the next generation of champions by delivering world-class events, competitive matchups, and an elite platform for rising stars and established fighters alike. With a leadership team led by President Sean Gibbons, Chief Financial Officer Tony Cohen, and Lead Matchmaker Brendan Gibbons, MPP is redefining the standard of fight promotion in the United States and worldwide. ਵਧੇਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ, ਦੌਰੇwww.PacquiaoPromotions.com and follow @PacquiaoPromotions on social media.
