Bob Arum’s Revelations on the Thrilla in Manila
Iconic boxing promoter Bob Arum has captivated audiences with a shocking account of the aftermath of one of the sport’s most famous matches—the Thrilla in Manila. In a recently resurfaced interview with Fight Hub TV, the 93-year-old founder of Top Rank recounted an extravagant celebration at a hotel following the grueling showdown between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.
“The match concluded around 11 AM, and as soon as we stepped outside, we were met by sunlight,” Arum shared. “After that, we returned to the Philippine Village Hotel, where we engaged in a two-day party I’ve never experienced before—an orgy with more women than I could count, and I apologize for my frankness.”
His commentary elicited laughter from an off-screen voice, but Arum remained resolute about his lively memories.
“That’s the Thrilla in Manila for me,” he reiterated without hesitation.
The Legendary Event
The legendary boxing event took place at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, on October 1, 1975. It was the climactic bout of the legendary Ali-Frazier rivalry, fought under intense heat and viewed globally by millions. After 14 punishing rounds, the match concluded when Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, stepped in, refusing to allow his fighter to continue, thus awarding Ali the victory. Ali would later describe the fight as resembling the closest experience he had to death.
Bob Arum, who was then a rising star in the boxing world, had just begun to make his mark alongside his contemporaries like Don King. The Thrilla in Manila solidified his position as a powerful figure within the international boxing community. However, what transpired afterward resembles more of a scene from a rock tour in the 1970s than a traditional boxing celebration.
Unfiltered Insights into Boxing’s Extravagance
With his latest revelations, Arum continues to offer an unfiltered glimpse into the extravagant world surrounding boxing’s major events, underscoring that the memories from such legendary fights linger far beyond the ring’s confines.
