What is the reason why "Thrilla in Manila" was in the Philippines when neither Ali or Frazier were Filipino

Question

why would they do it there?

was it a tour?

just curious cause im filipino and i dont know why

Answer 1

Had more to do with Don King, who would have a fight at top of Mt Everest if he knew could make the most cash.

King always holds fights in these location, because he's an old school promoter who wants to get the biggest gate possible. In American, that doesn't happen anymore since most people are content to watch the fight on TV or back then Close Circuit. Huge stadium fights ended in the 70s. Ali vs Norton  at Yankee stadium was the last big stadium fight, and was a bust do to a police strikes. It just become too costly for promoters.

That is why when Tyson came under King, King had his fight with Douglas in Tokyo. Most people in US figure the fight be a minute or two slaughter, and was hard to sell, but the Japonese had a fixation with Tyson, so King took the fight there thinking he'd get a bigger gate.

Even now, King having Sam Peter fighting in Mexico, and his next fight I read going to be in his native Africa.

Answer 2

Because Muhammad Ali loved poor people, and the country he went too would put up big money to have an Ali fight in their country.

The town got a big boom and allot of tourist money, so Ali had two of his biggest fights there. Muhammad Ali unlike any champion before him or after him traveled and defended his title all of the world. Because he said "Hes the heavyweight champion of the world" so he fought all over the world.

(Mike Tyson did go to China on a couple occasions, and Lennox went to Africa, but it didnt work out as well for them)

Answer 3

It obviously had something to do with money. Probably the Filipino head of state paid Don King the promoter a lot of money like President Mobutu did in Kishasa Zaire, in the Rumble in the Jungle, Muhammad Ali v. George Foreman. Or people would just pay extra because they had not seen a fight of that caliber in the Philippines.

Answer 4

need to ask don king

Answer 5

Ferdinand Marcos was the Philippine president that time and Philippines was developing in that period. It was something like a tourism event for the Philippines to help promote the country and Marcos use his power to stage that fight. As you said that you're a Filipino yourself, you're supposed to know that. Sadly, great times during Marcos era was overshadowed by his image as a dictator so people tend to forgot what a great president Ferdinand Marcos once.

Answer 6

Because americans are used to big boxers and big fights all the time and therefore gates are smaller here. But in smaller countries where big fights are rare, more people show up making a bigger gate. That's why fighters today fight more in their native countries. Money talks

Answer 7

money money money    don king