Get ready for one of the most talked-about boxing matches in the Philippines — and no, it’s not Manny Pacquiao! This time, it’s between Police General Nicolas Torre III, one of the highest-ranking police officers in the country, and Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the acting mayor of Davao City and son of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
🛠️ Almost Showtime! The Ring Is Nearly Ready
Photos released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday show the boxing ring setup is almost complete at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. You can already see:
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A full-size boxing ring
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Tables for judges
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Medical staff stations (just in case someone gets hurt)
This match is part of a charity event, which means the proceeds will go to helping those in need.
🎥 How Did This All Start?
It all began like something out of a TV drama or action movie.
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Mayor Baste Duterte challenged General Torre to a boxing match in a YouTube vlog.
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Torre accepted the challenge, saying sponsors were ready and willing to support the fight.
💥 Plot Twist: A Condition Was Thrown in
Baste added a twist:
“I’ll only fight if President Bongbong Marcos orders all government officials to take a hair follicle drug test.”
But Torre didn’t bite.
According to PNP spokesperson General Jean Fajardo, Torre refused to respond to that condition. She explained:
“Our police chief just responded to the challenge to help people, not for politics.”
📝 Waiver Woes: Another Duterte Joins In
Congressman Paolo Duterte, Baste’s older brother, also stepped in. He asked Torre to sign a waiver — a legal paper saying that if someone gets hurt in the fight, Baste can’t be blamed.
✈️ Wait… Where’s Baste?
Just when everyone was getting ready for Sunday’s showdown, Mayor Baste flew to Singapore on Friday morning, just two days before the match! The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed his trip.
🗓️ “I’m Busy… Let’s Fight Next Week!”
In a new podcast episode released Saturday, Baste said:
“I can’t fight on Sunday. I’m busy. But I’m free on Tuesday or Wednesday. Anytime after that is fine too.”
He even gave Torre some advice:
“While you wait, maybe you can practice more boxing moves.”
🔥 Backstory: Why This Is More Than Just a Fight
This match has some deep drama behind it. Remember:
General Torre led the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte (Baste’s father) back in March. The arrest was based on a warrant from the International Criminal Court over serious charges related to the controversial “drug war.”
So for some, this boxing match feels personal, even if it’s being promoted as a friendly charity fight.
👀 What Happens Next?
Will the fight happen next week? Will Baste return from Singapore? Will General Torre keep training? One thing’s for sure — the drama isn’t over yet.
Stay tuned. This match is shaping up to be one of the wildest face-offs in the country — inside or outside the ring.
