MANILA, (PNA)– Davao City’s 22-year old pride, 22-year old Ale Cali gambles with his Pacific X-Treme Combat fly crown versus Louis Smolka come Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City
Cali will be making his second title defense in headlining the 41st edition of the long-time mixed martial arts promotion that also features Mark Striegl, Crisanto Pitpitunge, Harold Banario, and lady fighters Gina Iniong and Nathalie Heidel.
Smolka has a healthy respect for Cali since he is quite young and has had no experience of being beaten. But Smolka is confident in winning because he’s got more speed than the youngster.
Cali told the Tuesday weekly PSA that he is recovering from last year’s shoulder injury sustained while dealing legendary fighter Erwin Tagle in PXC 3 a TKO for a 5-1 win loss card.
Concentrating on cardio training in Baguio City has eventually helped him in his training against Smolka (4-0), the challenger from Waipahu, Hawaii, who’s coming off a submission win over Jesse Rafols.
Matchmaker Rob San Diego, also a guest in the weekly session presented by Shakey’s and the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), said the fight card also serves as comeback bout for Striegl, who lost by tap out against Korean Jang Yong Kim for the PXC featherweight title.