Philippines, 21 Feb 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:

  • Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Pacman bout details revealed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 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.