WBC mini-flyweight world champion The Ring No. 1 ranked mini-flyweight TBRB No. 3 ranked mini-flyweight
WBC No. 2 ranked mini-flyweight The Ring No. 4 ranked mini-flyweight TBRB No. 6 ranked mini-flyweight
Result
Jerusalem wins via unanimous decision (115–113 and 116–112 twice)
Melvin Jerusalem vs. Siyakholwa Kuse, officially billed as Thrilla in Manila: the 50th Anniversary or Thrilla in Manila II was a 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 from the Eastern Cape for the WBCmini-flyweight championship of the world.[1][2][3]
Also presenting the IBA.PRO 11 tournament, Interim WBA bridgeweight title holder Georgiy Yunovidov (11-1, 7 KOs) will be facing South African Chris Thompson (16-6-1, 9 KOs). While Vadim Tukov will be up against Sena Agbeko of the United States.[5]
Background
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.[7]
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 (IBA) 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[8]
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.[9] October 9, 2025, Nico Ali Walsh stated “Fighting in Manila, where my grandfather made history, is a dream come true," "I’m bringing everything I’ve got against Klinson to honor that legacy and show the world who I am. Expect fireworks!”[10]
WBC Silver Mini-flyweight title holder and world title challenger Siyakholwa Kuse stated “I am going to Philippines and I will make sure I win the fight", “It’s either I stop him or I beat him clean.” during a sendoff for the long trip to Manila, October 23, 2025, They were expected to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Wednesday night, his entourage made up of chief trainer Manny Fernandes, assistant trainer Richard Fernandes and chief handler former WBA, IBF and The Ring super-featherweight world champion Brian Mitchell.[11]Pow Salud of Powcast Sports livestream interview with special guest boxing journalist and commentator Hayden Bruce James of SA Boxing Talk and the following day Siyakholwa Kuse himself in discussion about the challenger preparations leading to the main bout attraction in the Thrilla in Manila 2, giving valuable insight to the status and career of the South African challenger.
Official weigh-in and press conference
October 28, 2025, "Thrilla in Manila 2" official weigh-in and press conference at Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2. Jerusalem stakes his World Boxing Council (WBC) minimum weight crown against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse in the main event of the “Thrilla in Manila 2” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday as both boxers tipped an identical weight of 104.80 lbs[12]
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.[13] According to veteran U.S. boxing journalist Dan Rafael, on his Twitter account stated — "Contrary to various reports, the Mark Magsayo-Michael Magnesi WBC 130 final eliminator won't be Oct. 29 on the MP Promotions card in Manila. The fight will be on a PBC card, probably in December, in the U.S.".[14]
Sponsorships and partnerships
Mexican referee Cesar Castañon with a Riyadh Season and World Boxing Council (WBC) badge on his chest alongside Ramel Macado Jr. (left) and Albert Francisco (right) in the announcing of the scorecards.
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.”[15] 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.[16]
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.[17]
Thompson wins via unanimous decision (77–75 and 78–74 twice)
IBA's representative boxers during the ceremonial weigh-in event at Gateway Mall 2, Quantum Skyview, Cubao, between Vadim Tukov and Sena Agbeko in October 28, 2025.
Russian boxer Georgiy Yunovidov is set to challenge Chris Thompson of South Africa for the IBA.PRO Intercontinental in the heavyweight title. The ten-round fight have taken place on October 29 in the Philippines as part of the IBA.PRO 11 tournament and will be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the legendary show "Thriller in Manila". The organizers of the upcoming evening in the Philippines will be the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the famous boxer Manny Pacquiao. Initially, Yunovidov's opponent was supposed to be American John Cantrell, but the boxer is unable to perform due to medical reasons. In connection with the replacement of the opponent, the status of the fight has also changed - the title of the IBA.PRO Intercontinental, and not the full belt of the IBA.PRO, will be at stake. In addition, as part of the IBA.PRO 11 event, WBA Gold champion Vadim Tukov will be facing American boxer of Ghanaian origin Sena Agbeko in a ten-round fight for the Intercontinental middleweight belt IBA.PRO. Agbeko is known for his fights against Osleys Iglesias, Vladimir Shishkin and David Morrell.[18]
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