INQUIRER Global Nation

A WAR of words erupted yesterday 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.

CASTRO VOWS TO TAKE NIETES’ BELT

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 today 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. /Correspondent Salven Lagumbay