Philippines, 17 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MAIN FIGHTERS IN WAR OF WORDS


PhilBoxing.com




A war of words erupted today during the final press conference for this Saturday's "WBO Night of Champions" card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

WBO Intercontinental superbantam champion Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista and Mexican challenger Eden Marquez exchanged sharp looks and even sharper words when called at the center of the presidential table for a staredown for the media.

Bautista will defend his title in a 12-round war against the Sonora, Mexico native Marquez, who was accompanied to the Philippines by manager Fernando Dominguez and trainer Edmundo Gaitan.

"I came here with just one mission in mind: to win the title. I trained two months for this fight, and Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista will feel the power. I thank ALA Promotions for this opportunity to fight in the Philippines," Marquez said via translation by manager Dominguez, before showing off his well-chiseled body before the press.

Bautista appeared calm all throughout the press conference, and vowed to give it his all before Marquez can wrest the title.

"You have to kill me first before you get this title. I will meet you tomorrow, and be sure to be ready because I am," said the Bohol-raised Bautista in Cebuano.

In the chief support, WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes will defend his title for the first time against Nicaragua's Eddy Castro.

"I would like to thank ALA Promotions for this opportunity to fight your champion. I am fully prepared for this fight, and on Saturday, I am going to win the title," said Castro who was accompanied by his trainer Ernesto Castro Caldera at the press conference.

The official weigh-in takes place at 11AM tomorrow at the SM City Cebu's Atrium, with WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo supervising the proceedings.

ALA Boy Jason Pagara, the youngest ever WBO Youth champion at 16, will see action in a non-title bout against Thailand's Kongdej Sithtrajtrakan, while Jomanz Omanz goes up against ex-WBC International champ Roger Galicia.

Weng Haya goes up against the very tough Ricky Sismundo; Rey Las Pinas takes on Gideon Amba; Jerson Mancio battles Mario Suson; while JV "Fightdoc" Tuazon trades mitts with Albert Villacampa.

First bout starts at 6PM.

Top photo: Bautista (L) and Marquez face off after yesterday's presscon at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.


Nietes (L) and Castro face is other after the presscon.


Bautista (3rd from left) and Castro (2nd from right) exchanged harsh words at yeserday's presscon.


(L-R): ALA President Michael Aldeguer, Rey Bautista, Donnie Nietes, Eddy Castro, Eden Marquez and WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo, Jr. pose during yesterday's presscon at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.