FROM President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Nico Ali Walsh to Karylle, there was a sense of nostalgia when the 50th anniversary of the 'Thrilla in Manila' was celebrated Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Chief of State sat ringside next to boxing legend and eight-time world champion Manny Pacquiao and watched Ali battle Kittisak Kinson of Thailand in a competitive middleweight fight that served as part of the main undercard to the Melvin Jerusalem-Siyakholwa Kuse WBC minimumweight title match.
Marcos’ father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was the country’s president when the Philippines staged one of boxing’s most memorable fights ever featuring heavyweight greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on Oct. 1, 1975 at the Big Dome.
Ali Walsh of course, is the second generation Ali who is the grandson of ‘The Greatest,’ who retained his heavyweight crown against Frazier at the end of the 14th round of the drama-filled, back-and-forth fight held 50 years ago.
The younger Ali though, couldn’t approximate the same victory of his grandfather, as he settled for a draw against his tough Thai opponent at the end of their eight-round bout.
The third man in the ring during the Ali-Frazier fight, Carlos Padilla, was represented by his granddaughter, Karylle.
Now 91, Padilla fell ill on his way to his scheduled appearance in the ‘Thrilla’ celebration and instead, sent a video message for the special event while in his hospital bed.
'Thrilla' lives on
Both Ali and Karylle admitted feeling the love from the people who watched and took part in the three-day celebration leading to the big event.
“It was amazing and the people made it special. And it’s not just the walls and the place. It’s not just the arena that makes it special, not to sound corny or anything, but seriously it’s the people,” said Ali Walsh, who was given the same ‘Ali, Ali, Ali’ chant while he was inside the ring.
“If I was in an empty stadium this wouldn’t be special. It was the people chanting ‘Ali’ now the same way they were 50 years ago. That’s what made it special.”
Karylle, for her part, said the entire Padilla clan is very proud of her grandfather.
“He really wanted to be here, but he had a health issue two hours before he left for the airport,” said the singer-actress and host, who rendered the national anthem prior to the start of the main event.
“Whenever I meet somebody na hindi ko kakilala or hindi natin kalahi, siya yung una kong binibida. 'Yeah, he was the ref (in Thrilla in Manila). That’s my grandfather.' And palagi naman nilang alam kung ano yung pinagkukwentuhan ko. So nakaka-proud talaga siya,” she added.
Both interviews with Ali Walsh and Padilla were courtesy of One Sports.
The elder Ali’s former manager Gene Kilroy and Joe Frazier Jr. also came to the country and joined the 'Thrilla' celebration.
Now 85, Kilroy led Ali's entourage when he fought in the third and final installment of his memorable rivalry with Frazier.
“Best sporting event in history, not just boxing event, but best sporting event in history,” said Frazier Jr. about this thoughts on 'Thrilla in Manila.' “Two legends, two icons, two warriors, great stories in and out of the ring. You know, it was a ‘Thrilla in Manila.' It was the perfect slogan.”
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