By: Waylon Galvez
Former world eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said that, between the two boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier III, his own boxing style is more comparable to Ali due to several similarities.
“I see myself to sting like a bee,” said Pacquiao during a promotional press conference Wednesday, Oct. 1, at World Kitchens for the “Thrilla in Manila 2” — a boxing event scheduled on Oct. 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to mark the 50th anniversary of the original “Thrilla in Manila” between Ali and Frazier.
“Style ko kasi is pucher ako, marami ako sumuntok, hindi ako flat-footed,” added Pacquiao, a former senator.
Ali and Frazier fought their third and final bout on Oct. 1, 1975, in front of a packed crowd at the Big Dome.
That title fight remains to this day the biggest and greatest boxing event the Philippines has ever hosted, even though Pacquiao himself has fought several times on home soil, including twice at the Araneta Coliseum.
After splitting their first two fights — with Frazier winning the first by unanimous decision and Ali avenging it with a 12-round decision — Ali secured victory in the third fight when Frazier’s corner refused to let him answer the 15th-round bell.
Frazier passed away at age 67 in November 2011, while Ali died on June 3, 2016, at age 74.
“I’m so blessed, happy because ako na hindi pa napanganak nung time na yun, ako ang nagdala ngayon ng 50th anniversary ng ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ so I’m so honored and thankful to God of this blessing,” said Pacquiao.
“Alam naman natin na ang ating bansa na kilala sa sports, especially sa boxing, lahat tayo nagkaroon ng respeto sa buong mundo because of sports,” added Pacquiao, whose boxing promotion, MP Promotions, is organizing the “Thrilla in Manila 2” with several fights, including a title match.
WBC strawweight champion Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem (24-3, 12 KOs), who won the title in March 2024, will defend his belt against South African challenger Siyakholwa Kuse.
#WATCH: Manny Pacquiao honors the legendary Thrilla in Manila on its 50th anniversary — and this October 29, he brings Thrilla in Manila 2 to the Big Dome 🥊🇵🇭
📹 @batangBOYAA /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/Y0Vo1fx2hM
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 1, 2025
