MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons reveals three regrets about hosting “Thrilla in Manila II”

The Philippines recently commemorated the 50th anniversary of the legendary “Thrilla in Manila” with a grand boxing event organized by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dubbed “Thrilla in Manila II,” the celebration featured the country’s top boxing talents and was graced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. The event paid tribute to the historic third and final showdown between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, held on October 1, 1975, at the same iconic venue.

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons expressed his joy over the successful staging of the commemorative event but also revealed a few personal regrets.

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Gibbons said it would have been a “dream come true” if President Marcos Jr. had been able to stay to watch Eumir Marcial’s victory over Eddy Colmenares. He also wished that Mark Magsayo had fought Michael Magnesi of Italy in the co-main event, and that Sonny Padilla, the original referee of the 1975 Thrilla in Manila, had been able to attend the occasion.

One of the best from the Philippines! Luisito Espinoaa was present during the Thrilla in Manila 2 event! #Powcast pic.twitter.com/ryAUWczn76

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While the event was largely a success, it was not without hiccups. There were notable delays at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the program ending past midnight due to technical glitches and time lags.

“The President made time in his schedule to come to Smart Araneta as he wanted to watch Nico Ali Walsh and Eumir Marcial. 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 would not 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,” Gibbons explained.

Among the evening’s highlight bouts was a middleweight clash between Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, and Thailand’s Kittisak Klinson, which ended in a draw. Filipino boxing standouts including WBC Strawweight World Champion Melvin Jerusalem, Eumir Marcial, Carl Jammes Martin, and Marlon Tapales also took center stage in their respective divisions.

The commemoration not only honored the legendary Ali–Frazier trilogy but also celebrated the Philippines’ enduring boxing heritage and its new generation of talent. President Marcos Jr. extended full government support for the event, directing relevant agencies to assist and commending Pacquiao for spearheading the initiative.

Notably, the original 1975 Thrilla in Manila was attended by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and the First Family — a poignant connection linking the historic bout to today’s celebration of Philippine boxing excellence.

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