Wednesday, July 25, 2007 Davao's Ali a star at Wakee Salud gym By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
ALI Brashary Cali of Davao City will make his professional debut on August 25, 2007, in Manila possibly against a Japanese fighter.
The 16-year-old Cali, now the rising star at the Rex "Wakee" Salud Stable in Cebu, is scheduled to figure in a six-round flyweight bout, although his opponent has yet to be named.
He was scheduled to make his pro debut in General Santos City, but his handlers had a change of plan and want him to fight in Manila instead.
"They say I'm going to fight a Japanese boxer, and I'm preparing hard for my first fight in the professional ranks," Cali told Sun.Star Davao over the phone Tuesday.
Cali, a former top amateur boxer who reaped numerous gold medals, including one in the Batang Pinoy national championship, signed up with Salud just weeks ago and is now in deep training at the Cebu promoter's newly-refurbished RWS Gym in Labangon.
"He is a star at the Salud Gym. He beat up guys who are champions during sparring sessions," says Efren Desierto, who trained Cali.
When Cali showed up at the Salud Gym a couple of weeks ago he immediately got everybody's attention, specially Salud, after coming out impressive in his sparring session with Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champ Jojo Bardon.
Cali said he spars almost daily and jogs at the Abellana Sports Complex as part of his preparation for the August encounter.
"They just want to develop and put more power in my punches. I had the speed and defense, but it's the power that they're developing," Cali said of his trainers at the gym.
Cali has oatmeal for breakfast and, after a training session, has oatmeal again for lunch. But during night time, Cali and the Salud boys enjoy a hearty dinner of fish, beef and chicken.
The Davao boxer, who is dying to become a world champion, is now also enjoying the facility at the RWS Gym, which has state-of-the-art offices and newly-built bathrooms and shower areas for the boxers.
"I'm going to Manila to watch Ali fight. I'll be there at the weigh-in," says Ron Doran, Cali's American manager.
Another Doran boxer, 17-year-old Saddam "Boom" Barambngan of General Santos City, is also doing well at the Ala Gym of Antonio L. Aldeguer.
Mike Revilla, Barambangan's trainer, said his boy is now busy developing his mucles at the Ala facility.
