On August 29, 2018, singer, host and actress Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari-Yuzon, 37, who is mononymously known as Karylle, took to Instagram pay tribute to Carlos “Sonny” Dolorico Padilla Jr., 85. The latter served as the referee of the third bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Karylle is the daughter of Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari and singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, the daughter of Carlos. In 2011, the Philippine Sportswriters Association gave Carlos a lifetime achievement award.
Titled “Thrilla in Manila,” the bout between Ali and Frazier took place at the Philippine Coliseum, now known as the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines on October 1, 1975. Frazier’s trainer Eddie Futch objected to all three American referees so Carlos was appointed as the referee of the bout.
“Thrilla in Manila” ended in the 14th round. Ali knocked out Frazier.
After “Thrilla in Manila,” Carlos moved to the United States, where he refereed numerous high-profile boxing bouts. He was the referee of Sugar Ray Leonard’s bouts against Wilfredo Benitez and Roberto Duran and Duran’s bout against Thomas Hearns as well as the Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas, Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Ruben Castillo, Dwight Muhammad Qawi vs. Matthew Saad Muhammad and Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo Gomez matches.
Carlos’s career as a boxing referee lasted for 36 years and the last fight he refereed was the bout between Manny Pacquiao and Nedal Hussein at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines on October 14, 2000. Pacquiao knocked out Hussein in the 10th round.
On December 6, 2008, Karylle sang the Philippine national anthem at “The Dream Match” at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. In the main event, Pacquiao knocked out Oscar de la Hoya in the eighth round.
Carlos is the son of the late actor and Olympic boxer Carlos Ruiz Padilla Sr. A welterweight, the father competed in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Meanwhile, here is a recent interview with Karylle on her recent single titled “I Love Ya”:
CONAN Daily 