MANILA -- Filipino boxing icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang Palace Thursday.
Pacquiao said he asked the President himself for support for the upcoming 50th anniversary of "Thrilla in Manila" in October.
“Nandito tayo para mag-present sa kanya ng ating WBC belt saka 'yung gloves na regalo din natin sa kanya and pinresent natin ‘yung celebration ng ‘Thrilla in Manila’... anniversary ng ‘Thrilla in Manila’,” he said in a media interview following the courtesy call.
“So, we asked his support at saka sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno para i-celebrate itong 50th anniversary ng 'Thrilla in Manila,'” he added.
Regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxing matches in history, the fight between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier happened on October 1, 1975 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City -- their third and final boxing match.
Analysts regard the fight as one of the most savage matches in history, at a time when the heavyweight division was considered the crown jewel in boxing.
READ: The greatest fight in boxing history: Looking back at ‘Thrilla in Manila’
The boxing match happened under the administration of the President's father and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who had sought to hold the bout here in the Philippines.
According to one account, then-First Lady Imelda Marcos’ clothes were spattered with blood and journalists were unable to take notes because their table shook so much from the blows.
For his part, Marcos Jr. expressed “all out support” for the initiative, according to Pacquiao.
“Interesadong interesado siya sa concept na iyon at ito ay magaganap sa Oct. 29,” he said.
Pacquiao also shared some of his interactions with the president.
“‘Yung experience niya kay Muhammad Ali, noong nanood siya nung training ni Muhammad Ali. And then, pinaakayat siya sa ring, stage. Tapos dinemo sa kanya 'yung mga punches na gagawin ni Muhammad Ali, ‘yung bilis ni Muhammad Ali. So natuwa siya at ‘di niya nakalimutan,” Pacquiao recounted.