Filipino PXC fighters all primed for showdown

MANILA—The surest way for Rogelito Plomeda to survive is avoid getting pinned to the ground.

The Bacolod City pride will flaunt his boxing skills in his first international fight opposite Josh “The Hedgehog” Alvarez of Guam in the Pacific X-Treme Combat tonight at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

Plomeda, a professional boxer from the famed ALA Boxing stable in Cebu before earning a 4-2 record in mixed martial arts, tipped the scales at 134, a pound lighter than Alvarez during yesterday’s weigh-in.

At 5-foot-5, the 31-year-old Plomeda has a two–inch height advantage and plans to play cautiously against the more seasoned Alvarez, who has won six of his first nine bantamweight fights in the PXC.

“He’s smaller but has a wide frame. I haven’t seen him fight so I better stick to where I’m good at and avoid going to the ground,” said Plomeda.

Another Filipino will debut in the Guam-based MMA organization headed by general manager EJ Calvo when Carlos Tiongson faces newcomer Ricky Camp of Guam in the other bantam showdown.

Tiongson, who won two of his three fights on the mat, is the sentimental favorite owing to his impressive striking skills and defensive tactics.

In the other featured fight, Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial of Saipan aims to unseat reigning superheavy champion Roque “The Champ” Martinez of Guam in a grudge match following a controversial decision handed in favor of Martinez a few months back.