The much-anticipated boxing showdown between Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is set to push through on Sunday, July 27, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum – backed by sponsor pledges and undercard bouts featuring police boxing teams – even in the absence of the challenger.
The PNP confirmed that the boxing ring is already set, the undercards and referees have selected, and sponsor support continues to pour in.
However, the match appears to be in limbo, as Duterte has remained silent about his participation since leaving for Singapore on Friday.
“While the Chief PNP is busy on his job, he will come on Sunday at the Rizal Coliseum,’ said PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
“And whether or not Mayor Baste would show up, our Chief PNP will be there,” she stressed.
It was Duterte who challenged Torre in a fistfight in one of his podcasts, and the entire nation was surprised after Torre accepted the challenge but said he would turn it into a charity boxing match for the typhoon victims.
The excitement of the fight, however, was replaced by doubts that it would push through after Duterte laid down his own condition—that he would fight Torre if President Marcos and all government officials would undergo drug test.
And the chance of the fight pushing through further turned gloomy after Duterte went to Singapore.
According to a Davao City government staff member, the acting mayor left for official business with some of his colleagues from the local government office.
Another source said the acting mayor may travel next to The Hague in the Netherlands to visit his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been there since March for the case he is facing at the International Criminal Court.
The source noted that Duterte’s trip had long been planned.
But on the part of Torre, Fajardo said the Chief PNP remains optimistic of the clash.
What further motivated Torre, according to Fajardo, was the overflowing of pledges from various sponsors.
“As of last night (July 25), a lot of sponsors pledged to support his advocacy to help those affected by the weather disturbances. They would donate for this purpose,” said Fajardo.
Earlier, the Games and Amusement Board was reported to have signed a resolution that ensures the safety of the fight by offering referees and medical teams during the scheduled fight.
On the part of the PNP, Fajardo said there will be boxing teams from the police forces that would come.
Their matches will serve as undercards for the main event: Nick Torre vs Baste Duterte.
“There will be boxing teams that will go there and while we are waiting, they will entertain our kababayan who wants to watch and all the donations will be announced,” said Fajardo.
“So let’s take this as an opportunity to help our kababayan,” she added. (Aaron Recuenco, Ivy Tejano)
