A much-talked-about boxing match between Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte failed to materialize—but the charity event it was built around still went ahead, raising millions in aid for disaster-stricken communities.
The fight was slated to headline “Boxing for a Cause,” a charity event at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on July 27. Thousands arrived early, hoping to witness the bout. The venue was prepared, undercard matches began as scheduled, and excitement built. But when Duterte failed to appear, the main event collapsed. Torre was declared the winner after a ten-count walkover.
Why the Boxing Match Fell Through
According to Duterte, the idea of a match was never formal. He claimed he had only boasted of being able to beat Torre, but had not officially challenged him. In contrast, Torre believed a legitimate challenge had been made and accepted. Days before the event, Duterte suggested postponing and introduced conditions (including mandatory drug testing for public officials) that were never agreed upon. On the day of the fight, Duterte remained absent, citing family obligations and a lack of clarity on the charity’s framework.
Charity Event Raises Millions Despite No Main Event
Though the anticipated Torre-Duterte fight never happened, the charity boxing match succeeded in its main purpose. More than 16 million pesos in cash donations were collected, along with large quantities of relief goods such as canned food, rice, and hygiene supplies. Ticket sales also brought in hundreds of thousands more. All proceeds are designated for communities hit by recent typhoons and flooding.
Chief Torre emphasized that the event’s true purpose was humanitarian. Despite the disappointment over the canceled bout, the response from the public was overwhelming. The PNP and event organizers focused on the relief goals and moved forward with the matches featuring other police personnel.
A No-Show, But a Win for Relief Efforts
What began as a viral feud between two public figures turned into a platform for generosity. While the headline boxing match failed to happen, the energy around it helped draw attention, donations, and media coverage to a pressing national need.
In the end, the ring may have stayed empty—but the impact was real.
