Filipino fans remembering boxing legend Muhammad Ali gathered near the site of his epic “Thrilla in Manila” fight with Joe Frazier for an art and photo tribute Friday.
The display near Araneta Coliseum at Ali Mall was launched hours before Ali’s burial in the United States. Ali died June 3 at age 74. Outside the coliseum, a cutout picture of Ali stands in a boxing ring. Fans crowded around a screen playing videos of the 1975 match that put the Philippines on the map. At the mall, memorabilia including boxing gloves with Ali’s autograph, an original souvenir program and a gold commemorative coin also are on display.
The Oct. 1, 1975, heavyweight championship, one of the greatest boxing matches in history, was won by Ali on a technical knockout at the jam-packed coliseum in Manila’s suburban Quezon city and was watched by a worldwide audience. AP
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