MANILA, Philippines — It was certainly not a “Thrilla in Manila”—the famed 1975 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier—yet thousands of people flocked to the Rizal Memorial
It was certainly not a “Thrilla in Manila”—the famed 1975 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier—yet thousands of people flocked to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday to watch what was billed as a charity bout between Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, 55, and acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, 37.
Despite the absence of Duterte, who flew to Singapore a few days earlier, the event raised over P20 million in cash and kind while political points were evidently gained and lost between the two “pugilists”—the no-show and the declared winner by default.
The match had been brewing since May, with Duterte throwing the first punch, albeit verbal, when he criticized the promotion to PNP chief of Torre, the man who led the March 11 arrest of his father based on the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
On July 20, Duterte dared Torre to a “suntukan” (fistfight), which the police chief accepted three days later, but suggested that it be turned into a 12-round boxing match for charity to raise funds for those affected by the calamity brought by the recent series of typhoons.
Torre then proceeded to prepare for the match, releasing videos and photos of him training in the ring and under the rain.
The match, dubbed as “Laban Para sa Nasalanta,” was set on July 27, 9 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“It is now up to him whether he shows up or not,” Torre said.
On July 25, Duterte, who had issued conditions before meeting Torre inside the boxing ring, flew to Singapore.
