Roca Rey and Manzanares Enjoy a Triumphant Afternoon in Alicante

The second bullfight of the 2026 Hogueras Fair lived up to the enormous expectations that had been building for weeks. With a complete sell-out and more than 11,000 spectators filling the stands, Alicante witnessed one of those memorable afternoons that remain etched in the minds of bullfighting fans.

At the conclusion of the event, José María Manzanares and Andrés Roca Rey left the bullring through the Puerta Grande (Great Gate), carried on the shoulders of enthusiastic supporters. The Alicante-born matador was awarded two ears after a committed performance in front of his home crowd, while the Peruvian star claimed three trophies following the most impressive display of the afternoon.

The bulls from Álvaro Núñez offered a varied performance, with several providing excellent opportunities for the matadors to shine. Only the opening bull failed to contribute to the overall success of the corrida, while the second, third and fifth bulls stood out for their quality and possibilities.

Much of the attention was focused on Morante de la Puebla. The Seville-born maestro had little chance to demonstrate his unique style with the first bull of the afternoon, a disappointing animal that offered few opportunities. However, his performance with the fourth bull produced some of the most inspired moments of the day. Morante displayed exceptional class with both cape and muleta, creating a performance full of sensitivity, elegance and artistic expression. Although the bull’s limited duration prevented the faena from reaching even greater heights, the crowd rewarded his efforts with an ear and one of the most warmly received laps of honour of the fair.

José María Manzanares once again connected deeply with his local supporters. He secured an ear from his first bull after a solid and increasingly intense performance. The fifth bull allowed him to show his full potential. From the outset, the Alicante matador performed with determination and conviction, building a faena of depth and authority that had a major impact on the crowd. A second ear confirmed an especially emotional triumph on home soil.

The afternoon’s greatest explosion of excitement came from Roca Rey. The Peruvian found in the third bull the ideal partner to showcase his powerful and committed style of bullfighting. His performance combined emotion, control and a remarkable connection with the spectators, producing the most electrifying moments of the corrida. The award of two ears reflected the quality of a faena that brought the entire bullring to its feet. He returned with the sixth bull to add another ear, securing his place among the day’s major winners and guaranteeing a triumphant exit through the Puerta Grande.

Not even the strong wind, which affected parts of the afternoon, could diminish the brilliance of an event marked by a packed bullring and the success of two leading figures of modern bullfighting. As night fell over Alicante, Manzanares and Roca Rey were accompanied by a large crowd of supporters, extending the celebrations well beyond the bullring itself.