Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III said the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila is all set for his boxing match against acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte tentatiively set on Sunday, July 27.
"Kung ready sila sa venue, I can show up pero naka-set na, actually, ang Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The ring is already being set up there para sa Sunday,” Torre told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
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Torre hit the PNP Gymnasium on Thursday to sharpen his punches and tighten his footwork ahead of the “charity boxing match.”
Asked what would happen if Duterte does not show up, Torre responded, “Nasasakanya na yun. Whether he shows up or not, may mga sponsors na na nagsasabi na magdodonate na lang ng mga ayuda sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at baha.”
“I really hope matuloy ito para makita naman nila na we are serious in this dahil sa ating fundraising ito at ito ay para naman sa mga typhoon at flood victims,” he added.
The proposed bout stemmed from Duterte’s challenge, issued via his podcast last Sunday, daring the country’s top cop to a fistfight.
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Torre accepted the challene and proposed turning the confrontation into a charity boxing match for the victims of the onslaught of successive tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
“Any time, ready tayo,” Torre said.
“Hindi naman sa patol. There was a challenge made and I just saw an opportunity to raise funds na pangtulong sa ating mga kababayan. I just grabbed it,” he stressed.