The boxing world is buzzing as living legend Manny Pacquiao, in partnership with IBA Pro, unveils Thrilla in Manila 2, a fight night set to rock the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 29, 2025.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary Thrilla in Manila, this blockbuster card, headlined by Filipino WBC Minimumweight Champion Melvin Jerusalem and featuring Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, promises a night of heart-pounding action. With MP Promotions and IBA Pro at the helm, Thrilla in Manila 2 showcases the Philippines’ fighting spirit alongside international stars, honoring a storied past while forging a bold future.
Manny Pacquiao, CEO of MP Promotions, said: “The Thrilla in Manila lit a fire in my heart as a kid, pushing me to dream big. Bringing Thrilla in Manila 2 to Manila with IBA Pro is my way of passing that fire to the next generation. On October 29, we’re making history again, and the world will feel the heat of Filipino pride!”
Al Siesta, Director of IBA Pro, said: “Partnering with Manny Pacquiao and MP Promotions for Thrilla in Manila 2 is a game-changer. This event blends Manila’s rich boxing legacy with global star power, from Melvin Jerusalem’s title defense to Nico Ali Walsh’s historic return. We’re delivering a night that will thrill fans and shake the boxing world.”
The original Thrilla in Manila on October 1, 1975, is etched in history as boxing’s ultimate war. In the blistering heat of the Araneta Coliseum, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier battled for the heavyweight crown in their third epic clash. Ali’s relentless onslaught and fiery taunts led to a 14th-round TKO when Frazier’s corner threw in the towel. Named The Ring magazine’s Fight of the Year, it put Manila on the global map and inspired a young Manny Pacquiao to rise from poverty to greatness.
Born in 1978 in Kibawe, Philippines, Manny Pacquiao defied all odds to become the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, boasting a record of 62-8-3 (39 KOs). His legendary wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Timothy Bradley earned him Fighter of the Decade honors for the 2000s and a 2025 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Beyond the ring, Pacquiao’s journey as a Philippine senator, philanthropist through the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, and cultural icon embodies resilience.
Nico Ali Walsh, the 25-year-old grandson of Muhammad Ali, steps into the ring carrying a monumental legacy. Born in Chicago in 2000, Walsh (11-1-0, 7 KOs) turned pro in 2021, wielding a 6-foot frame, 74-inch reach, and devastating power honed under coaches like Abel Sanchez. Fresh off a jaw-dropping TKO in February 2025, he faces Thailand’s gritty Kittisak Klinson in a six-round super middleweight clash. Fighting in the same arena where his grandfather became a legend 50 years ago, Walsh’s blend of charisma and knockout flair makes this a bucket-list bout.
“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!”
Manila’s own Melvin Jerusalem (22-3, 12 KOs) defends his title against South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse in a 12-round war. Jerusalem’s lightning-fast hands and hometown pride face Kuse’s relentless pressure, promising a championship clash that could end in a flash.
Nico Ali Walsh battles Kittisak Klinson in a six-round thriller. Klinson’s tough, come-forward style meets Walsh’s surgical precision, setting up a potential knockout that will ignite the crowd.
Former two-division world champion Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales (38-4, 20 KOs) takes on Venezuela’s Fernando Toro in a 10-round slugfest. Tapales’s body-shot mastery and title-shot hunger make this a must-watch against Toro’s upset-minded durability.
Undefeated Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin (23-0, 18 KOs) faces Thailand’s Aran Dipaen in a 10-round showdown. Martin’s explosive power could catapult him toward a world title, but Dipaen’s toughness guarantees a battle.
Undefeated Eman Bacosa (10-0, 6 KOs), a Davao star, returns with his blazing speed and slick skills in a six-round bout. Poised to steal the show, Bacosa is Manila’s next big thing.
Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial (5-0, 3 KOs) storms back in a six-round clash. Fresh from his Tokyo 2020 glory, Marcial’s bone-crushing power promises a knockout spectacle that will rock the Coliseum.