PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary boxing event “Thrilla In Manila.”

The President’s attendance was confirmed by eight-division world boxing champion and former senator Manny Pacquiao, who went to Malacañang on Thursday to extend the invitation to Marcos.

“We asked for his support and also from all government agencies to celebrate this 50th anniversary of ‘Thrilla in Manila,’” Pacquiao said in Filipino in a chance interview following their meeting.

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The Oct. 29 event will feature three world-class Filipino boxers: reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) straw weight champion Melvin Jerusalem, International Boxing Federation mini flyweight titleholder Pedro Taduran and super-featherweight rising star Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo.

Pacquiao, who was among the administration-backed senatorial candidates under Alyansa ng Pagbabago in last May’s midterm elections, said the feature fights during the event could potentially include world title bouts.

“The President is happy. He’s giving his all-out support. He will be there to watch. He’s very interested in the concept,” he said.

Held at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct.1, 1975, “Thrilla In Manila” featured the legendary Muhammad Ali and his unrelenting rival, Joe Frazier.

The match was decided after 14 punishing rounds, with Ali crowned as undisputed heavyweight champion.

Marcos to mark ‘Thrilla In Manila’ 50th anniversary

During the courtesy call, Pacquiao presented to the President the WBC belt he received from his comeback fight against welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Pacquiao also gave Marcos a pair of signed boxing gloves as a gift.