Manny Pacquiao to celebrate 50th Thrilla in Manila anniversary

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is planning a week-long celebration for the 50th anniversary of the "Thrilla in Manila" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 29.

Pacquiao met with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to discuss the event and present him with a specially-made WBC championship belt.

The WBC championship belt features emblems of member countries and photos of notable figures including former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., President Marcos Jr., former WBC president Jose Sulaiman, Pacquiao, Muhammad Ali, and Joe Frazier.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is expected to attend the celebration.

MP Promotions, led by Pacquiao, has unveiled a stacked lineup for the event, which will include a world title clash between Melvin Jerusalem and Siyakholwa Kuse, and a super featherweight title eliminator bout between Mark Magsayo and Michael Magnesi.

Other fighters on the undercard include Nico Ali Walsh, Carl Jammes Martin, Weljon Mindoro, and Eumir Marcial.

The original "Thrilla in Manila" took place on October 1, 1975, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.