Philippines, 08 Jan 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:

  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA order
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
    , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    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.