Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761820019529viber_image_2025-10-30_17-52-03-318.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Joe Frazier Jr. ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- The son of legendary boxer Joe Frazier was in awe of the impact and lasting legacy of his father in the Philippines, 50 years since &quot;Thrilla in Manila.&quot;Joe Frazier Jr. was among the star-studded crowd present at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of &quot;Thrilla in Manila.&quot;Frazier said it was a surreal feeling to be in the same venue where his father fought the equally iconic Muhammad Ali in front of an energetic Filipino crowd.&quot;It&#x27;s amazing just to be in the coliseum where my father fought... it&#x27;s an amazing feeling. From the fights I&#x27;ve seen so far, it&#x27;s great battles, it&#x27;s great competition,&quot; he told reporters on the sidelines of the event.&quot;But the biggest thing I&#x27;ve seen so far is the demeanor about them, respect for one another. That&#x27;s what my father embodied is the respect for one another before and after the fight so I can really appreciate that and the culture of Manila is amazing,&quot; he added.Frazier is grateful his father&#x27;s legacy still lives on especially in the Philippines, showing his impact goes beyond the ring.&quot;It speaks volumes first and foremost to who my father and Ali were as people, not just the boxers. And the legacy and the altitude they left behind to still be honored this way just shows the impact they made on a bigger level than boxing,&quot; he said.Frazier believes the &quot;Thrilla in Manila 2&quot; event helps remind boxers they&#x27;re more than just fighters, but individuals with a purpose.&quot;It&#x27;s always bigger than boxing, but I appreciate what they&#x27;re doing in the ring because they&#x27;re putting their lives on the line. So at all times, just have respect for your opponent and know that you both are battling something bigger than just in the ring,&quot; he shared.Frazier was not the only relative of a boxing great present at The Big Dome, Ali&#x27;s grandson Nico Ali Walsh also stepped inside the ring. He battled to a majority draw against Kittisak Klinson from Thailand.&quot;He&#x27;s doing great justice to his grandfather, and I know his grandfather is shining down and smiling upon him right now,&quot; Frazier said.At the end of the day, Frazier reveled in the opportunity to be a witness to a celebration of his father&#x27;s legacy 50 years on.

Joe Frazier Jr. was among the star-studded crowd present at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila.

Joe Frazier Jr. was among the star-studded crowd present at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila.

Joe Frazier’s son reflects on his father’s enduring legacy in ‘Thrilla 2’

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Joe Frazier’s son reflects on his father’s enduring legacy in ‘Thrilla 2’

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 30, 2025 06:33 PM PHT

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boxing

Thrilla in Manila 2

Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier Jr.

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