Preparations are now in full swing at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, where a highly anticipated charity boxing match between Police General Nicolas Torre III and Davao City Acting Mayor Baste Duterte is set to unfold this Sunday.
Photos of the ongoing ring setup were shared on Friday by PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, giving the public a glimpse of what’s to come in the controversial bout.
Torre earlier confirmed he will be present at the venue, saying he is ready to face Duterte after accepting the latter’s challenge from a YouTube video. “Whether he shows up or not, may mga sponsors na may nagsabi na magdo-donate na lang ng mga ayuda sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at baha,” Torre stated.
Duterte, however, laid down firm conditions before stepping into the ring. In a Thursday post, he questioned the use of charity as a backdrop for the match. “Kung gusto mo lang talaga ng suntukan, bakit kailangan mo pa ng charity, charity?” he said, criticizing the move to tie the match with flood relief efforts in Metro Manila.
“Kung serious ka talaga ha? These are my conditions,” he added, demanding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly call for all elected officials to undergo hair follicle drug testing.
To ensure the safety and legitimacy of the event, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) issued Resolution No. 2025-08 on Friday, announcing its commitment to deploy a licensed referee and a medical team during the bout.
“GAB has duly accredited professional referees who are qualified to officiate the bout and ensure that it is conducted under the established rules and standards of boxing,” the resolution reads. Medical personnel—including doctors and paramedics—will also be on standby to respond to any injuries or emergencies during the match.
