Charity boxing match: PNP chief ready whether or not Baste shows up

Philippine News Agency

READY TO RUMBLE. Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Nicolas Torre III (left), trains at the PNP gym in Camp Crame on July 24, 2025, in preparation for a possible charity match. The bout gained viral attention after Torre accepted Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s public challenge to a fistfight. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III is pushing through with the charity boxing match at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, whether or not his challenger, acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, shows up.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said on Saturday that preparations are complete, including the setup of the boxing ring, and safety arrangements have been coordinated with the Games and Amusement Board, which is deploying referees and medical teams.

“Sabi nga ng ating chief PNP, bagamat naka-focus siya sa kanyang trabaho pero sa darating na Linggo darating siya sa Rizal Coliseum (As the PNP chief said, he is busy with his job but he will show up at the Rizal Coliseum on Sunday),” Fajardo said in a radio interview.

The event was initiated after Duterte challenged Torre to a fistfight in a podcast episode, which Torre accepted, turning it into a charity match to raise funds for victims of recent widespread flooding brought by combined weather systems that affected several areas and displaced thousands.

“And whether or not Mayor Baste would show up, our Chief PNP will be there. Alam mo itong paghahamon nga ni Mayor Baste sa ating chief PNP ay nabanggit na ng ating chief PNP ay he took this opportunity para makatulong sa ating mga mamamamayan na nasalatanta at tuloy po yan (The PNP chief has mentioned Mayor Baste’s challenge and he took this opportunity to help our citizens who were affected by floods. This will continue),” Fajardo said.

The match remains uncertain after Duterte demanded that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and all government officials undergo drug testing before he agrees to fight.

Chances for them to meet inside the ring became more uncertain when it was reported that Duterte left for Singapore on Friday.

Still, Torre remains optimistic.

“A lot of sponsors have pledged their support. Whatever happens, the aid program continues,” Fajardo added.

Police boxing teams will also hold undercard matches to entertain the audience and encourage more donations.

Torre, 54, said he’s brushing up on his boxing basics, recalling his training days at the PNP Academy.

“This is not about strength but credibility. There was a challenge, and I saw an opportunity to help,” he said, noting that the focus remains on relief efforts and not politics. (Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)