Top boxers laud Pacman ‘Thrilla’ initiative
WBC strawweight champion Melvin Jerusalem and other top Filipino fighters expressed admiration for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s effort to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic Thrilla in Manila.
Jerusalem, who defends his WBC 105-pound title against South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, said he was overwhelmed when Pacquiao selected him to headline the landmark event.
“The moment I learned about Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s wish to celebrate the Thrilla and have me as its main event, I felt overjoyed,” said Jerusalem. “I am so excited to be a part of this landmark moment in Philippine sports.”
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist and unbeaten professional Eumir Marcial echoed the sentiment, saying that being part of Pacquiao’s Blow-By-Blow promotion was a personal milestone.
“I have always wanted to be associated with my longtime idol Manny Pacquiao, and getting the opportunity to fight under his promotional banner is something I am very proud of,” said Marcial, who faces Venezuelan knockout artist Eddy Colmenares in a middleweight special attraction.
Jerusalem, now on his second fight under Blow by Blow, said he is thrilled to again display his skills before a global audience.
Also backing the event are top super-bantamweights Carl Jammes Martin and Marlon Tapales, who are featured in the undercard against separate foreign opponents.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, spearheads the celebration to honor the 14-round war between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier that took place on October 1, 1975.
