Marcos 'interested' in Thrilla in Manila 50th anniv celebration — Pacquiao

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is interested in celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Thrilla in Manila" in October, boxing icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao said Thursday.

"Pinresent natin 'yung celebration ng Thrilla in Manila, anniversary ng Thrilla in Manila. So we asked his support at saka sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno para i-celebrate itong 50th anniversary ng Thrilla in Manila," Pacquiao told reporters after his courtesy call on the President at Malacañang Palace.

(We presented the [concept for the] celebration of Thrilla in Manila anniversary. So we asked his support, as well as those from other government agencies, to celebrate the anniversary of Thrilla in Manila.)

"Yes, manood siya, interesadong-interesado siya sa concept na 'yun at ito ay magaganap sa October 29," he added.

(Yes, he will watch. He is very interested in the concept. The celebration will take place on October 29.)

No further details were provided by Pacquiao, who was named the No. 1 rated boxer in the welterweight division earlier this month following his majority draw with reigning champion Mario Barrios. 

To recall, the original "Thrilla in Manila," was held at the Araneta Coliseum in 1975, which featured a heavyweight bout between fierce boxing rivals Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

In that match, Ali won via technical knockout. — VDV, GMA Integrated News