Is a second “Thrilla in Manila” starring Manny Pacquiao in the works?
Top Rank boxing promoter Bob Arum said yesterday that he believes Pacquiao will fight in the Philippine capital before retiring, and that pressure for a second “Thrilla” is growing with the construction of four new casinos on the Manila Bay waterfront.
“You gotta understand, they filled in part of the waterfront around Manila Bay and they’re building four unbelievably luxurious casinos,” Arum said in a radio interview. “Those casinos should be up and running in the next year. They gonna want to put an event in The Arena that’s very, very close by. They’re gonna use the Manny Pacquiao fight to bring players around Asia.”
Pacquiao is set to make his ring return on November 24 against Mexico’s Brandon Rios at the Venetian in Macau.
Pacquiao’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal voiced the same sentiments. “It’s still possible. The possibility is open,” Gacal said about Pacquiao fighting on Philippine soil.
The first “Thrilla in Manila” saw Muhammed Ali defeat Joe Frazier in front of a sold out Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City in 1975. It was the climax of the ferocious rivalry between the two legendary American boxers and is ranked as one of the greatest fights ever.
Photo: Manny Pacquiao Facebook page
