WBC mini-flyweight world champion The Ring No. 1 ranked mini-flyweight TBRB No. 3 ranked mini-flyweight
WBC Silver mini-flyweight champion The Ring No. 4 ranked mini-flyweight TBRB No. 5 ranked mini-flyweight
Result
TBA
Melvin Jerusalem vs. Siyakholwa Kuse, billed as Thrilla in Manila: the 50th Anniversary or Thrilla in Manila II is an upcoming professional boxing event dedicated as the 50th Year Anniversary of the historic Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The event is headlined between Filipino mini-flyweight champion Melvin Jerusalem and South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse for the WBCmini-flyweight championship of the world.[1][2]
Araneta Coliseum, venue of the event.MP Promotions CEO Manny Pacquiao give his inspirational speech during the "Thrilla in Manila 2" press conference at Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
A date has been set for the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila” and the goal is to stage a star-studded show, highlighted by three championship fights involving Filipinos, in October 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled for their trilogy in 1975.[4]
Recent Hall of Fame inductee, eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao is spearheading the preparations together with CEO Marife Barrera of Blow by Blow management, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons and the International Boxing Association for the event and said will back it up. “I’ve just spoken with the Senator who’s all for it,” said Gibbons in a call from his Las Vegas home. “It will be featured on his ‘Blow By Blow’ show.” The 1975 fight was held on Oct. 1, Wednesday morning, Manila time, for prime-time night viewing in the US. Gibbons said the commemoration will be on a Saturday.
If plans don’t miscarry, Gibbons said a press conference to announce the coming event will be set up in February or March. For the commemoration, Gibbons said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Bob Arum, Don King, referee Sonny Padilla, Larry Holmes, Ali’s daughter Laila and Frazier’s daughter Jacqui will be invited. Both Arum and King were in Manila[5]
October 1, 2025, a press conference was held on which Manny Pacquiao led the 50th anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla in Manila” as a promoter and in partnership with the International Boxing Association (IBA), headlining a blockbuster boxing card on October 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Pacquiao also revealed that VIP guests are expected, including relatives of Ali and Frazier and some former world champions. “We will invite a lot of personalities. We will have a lot of surprises,” Pacquiao said.[6]
Cancelled bout between Magsayo vs. Magnesi
Originally, former WBCfeatherweight champion Mark Magsayo was scheduled to fight reigning WBC Silversuper-featherweight champion Michael Magnesi in a WBC super-featherweight title eliminator, to headline as the co-main event.[1][2] On late August, it would be announced that the bout was to be postponed to December 2025.[7]
Critical reception
Tagline named as (Thrilla in Manila 2) received different reviews from both of the boxing fans and critics in the Philippines. In particular veteran writer Ding Marcelo of SPIN.ph express his opinion about the idea Just the thought that somebody had the gall to call a coming fight “Thrilla in Manila” is an insult as it dishonors the memory of that classic encounter between Ali and Fraizer in 1975, at the Araneta Coliseum. Pacquiao should be the last person to invoke the names of Ali and Frazier for a card headlined by Melvin Jerusalem, who is staking his World Boxing Council mini-flyweight crown against a still unnamed opponent. But if Pacquiao is short of a marketing tagline for a card headlined by a guy named Jerusalem, I have a suggestion. How about: “A Trip to Jerusalem.”[8] While MP Promotions liaison officer/representative Mark Lontayao & sport analyst Pow Salud opposed to the said writer. The "Thrilla in Manila"- The 50th anniversary is an insult? Absolutely not. At worst, one could say it’s “not enough” to match the original. But to call it an insult is unfair as fans will witness an affordable ticket for the event featuring a world title defense by Melvin Jerusalem and a stacked card showcasing the brightest young Filipino stars. Pacquiao’s Blow by Blow has consistently staged events with selling afordable tickets, making this tribute a genuine gift to boxing fans — not a cash grab, not a marketing ploy.[9]
Jerusalem’s longtime trainer and former boxer Michael Domingo quickly defended his boxer after learning of the columnist’s remarks. — "Why would he say that? Melvin is a world champion who has brought honor to the Philippines. This will be his third title defense. We only have two world champions in the country right now. We should be supporting our world champions, so they’ll be more inspired. But that’s his opinion. As for us, we’ll just stay focused on the fight" Domingo said.[10]
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