50th ANNIVERSARY OF “THRILLA IN MANILA”
At Fighter’s Heaven on Saturday Sept. 27, 2025
KHALIAH ALI, TIM WITHERSPOON, MARK KRAM, JR. HEADLINE “THRILLA IN MANILA” TRIBUTE
DEER LAKE, PA — Fighter’s Heaven will pay tribute to boxing’s greatest rivalry with a 50th Anniversary celebration of the “Thrilla In Manila”, the legendary heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on Saturday September 27. Headlining the days events, which include a screening of the fight, will be Khaliah Ali, daughter of the three-time world champ. Other guests from the boxing world include former heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon, ‘Smokin Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier’ author Mark Kram Jr., and Boxing Hall of Fame writers Ron Borges and Randy Gordon. Former Pennsylvania State Boxing Commissioner George Bochetto and his son Evan, who restored Ali’s childhood home in Louisville, will also screen their short documentary film ’Cassius Ali’ which provides an in-depth look at Ali’s formative years. The day’s events will be hosted and moderated by Fighter’s Heaven owner Mike Madden. All proceeds from this event will benefit the St. Joseph Center for Special Learning.
The “Thrilla in Manila” was the third and final fight between Ali, the current undisputed champion and the former champ Joe Frazier and took place October 1, 1975 at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. Regarded as one of the best and most brutal championship fights in boxing history, it was stopped by Frazier’s corner after the 14th round. Fought in extreme heat, Ali said it was ‘’the closest thing to dying’’, while Frazier said “every punch, every moment was about proving to myself and the world that I could go beyond my limits”. Following the screening the fight will be discussed by a panel of boxing experts. The day will conclude with a meet-and-greet reception.
Tickets for this limited event are $50 and include all of the day’s events, lunch, post-event reception and a special commemorative poster. The events start at 10:30 am until approximately 3:00 pm.
St. Joseph Center for Special Learning offers academic, social, religious and pre-vocational instruction for students, ages 5-21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Fighter’s Heaven, Muhammad Ali’s training camp for most of the 1970’s has been restored to its original condition and has been designated both a Pennsylvania and National Historic Landmark.
To purchase tickets and more information, visit: https://fightersheaven.com/thrilla-in-manila-event/
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