Champion by Default: Torre Wins After Baste No-Show
2 min read
JULY 29,2025
🥊 It was the fight that never happened — and still made headlines during the President’s SONA.
Champion The Walkover Win Heard Around the Philippines
In a playful yet headline-grabbing moment during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave an unexpected shout-out to PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, calling him the nation’s newest “champion” — even without throwing a single punch.
“Tulad ni Senator Manny Pacquiao, ni Hidilyn Diaz, ni Caloy Yulo, Ira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, Alex Eala — isama na rin natin ‘yong bago nating kampyon, si PNP Chief Nic Torre,” Marcos said, drawing laughter and applause at the Batasang Pambansa.
A visibly surprised Torre stood up as the camera panned to him. Marcos grinned and joked, “Nagulat si Chief PNP.”
What Happened to the Match
The much-anticipated charity boxing match, dubbed “Laban Para sa Nasalanta,” was set for Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. It promised a showdown between Torre and Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte — born from a podcast-fueled feud.
But the drama fizzled when Baste flew to Singapore days before the match, failing to show up in the ring.
Still a KO for Charity
Despite the anticlimactic no-fight outcome, the event raised over ₱20 million in cash and kind for typhoon and flood victims. The tally included:
- ₱300,000 in ticket sales
- A championship belt donated by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao
- Multiple private and corporate donations
Torre, 55, emphasized that the real win was for those in need. “The money will go to victims of recent typhoons and flooding,” he shared.
From Trash Talk to Charity
The idea started when Duterte challenged Torre to a fistfight over his appointment as PNP chief, particularly due to Torre’s role in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces an ICC warrant.
Rather than trade barbs, Torre agreed — but transformed the challenge into a sanctioned charity boxing match, flipping the narrative.
Champion No Rematch in Sight
When asked if a future bout might still happen, Torre made his stance clear: NOWTREND
“I don’t think he’s worth responding to at this point. Let him stay in his own world.”
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