Huge career boost in store for Dasmariñas in Inoue fight

FILIPINO bantamweight boxer Michael “Hot and Spicy” Dasmariñas returns to action this weekend in a fight that could provide a major boost to his career especially in the event of a victory.

The Camarines Sur native fighter will take on undefeated Japanese champion “Monster” Naoya Inoue on Sunday (Manila time) at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas for the latter’s World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight and International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight world titles.

It will be the biggest fight to date for Mr. Dasmariñas (30-2-1), who is the International Boxing Organization champion, in nearly a decade in the professional ranks.

For local fight analyst Nissi Icasiano, the Inoue fight presents a huge opportunity for the Philippine bet to bring his name forth in the global boxing arena and that Mr. Dasmariñas must take full advantage of it.

“First, he is fighting for the very first time in the US. It’s an opportunity that he has waited for a long time since turning pro in 2012. Add to that, the American audience will get to see him slug it out through ESPN. Second, he is vying for a major world title against perhaps the best bantamweight today. And not only that, two belts are up for grabs,” said Mr. Icasiano in an online interview with BusinessWorld.

“Though we know that Michael Dasmariñas will have his work cut out in this fight, imagine if he could pull off the upset. It’s going to be one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. It’s all served on the table for him. Now, it’s up to him if he will turn that opportunity into gold,” he added.

While steadily winning and establishing himself as a quality fighter, Mr. Dasmariñas has not enjoyed the high-profile stature that other Filipino boxing champions has had, and Mr. Icasiano said that makes his narrative more compelling heading into the Inoue fight.

“Dasmariñas is the best example of a boxer who took the long but honest route. He never turned down a fight and took it one fight at a time to get to where he is at. Michael shares the same story with other boxers who just utilized what they have in terms of budget and support. If he wins, it’s just a culmination of all the hard work and sacrifice that ordinary people don’t see in a regular training camp,” the analyst said.

So how will Mr. Dasmariñas fare against undefeated champion Inoue (20-0)?

Mr. Icasiano said it will be no easy fight for the Filipino but if Mr. Dasmariñas fully uses what he has as a boxer and takes advantage of the openings he gets during the fight, then he gives his cause a stronger chance.

“It’s going to be an uphill battle for Michael Dasmariñas, and there is no need to exaggerate it because he is facing a boxer who has been bred differently. Yes, Donaire exposed and proved to the world that Inoue is human like everyone else. But that’s Nonito Donaire. Michael Dasmariñas is Michael Dasmariñas. He can take notes from that fight, but he has to rely on what he possesses as a fighter,” said Mr. Icasiano, referring to Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who took Mr. Inoue to the limits in their 2019 fight before losing by unanimous decision.

“The talent is there and Dasmariñas has done enough to deserve a shot here. However, Dasmariñas does have a questionable at best resume, as you’d argue Lwandile Sityatha or Manyo Plange are his best competition. This will easily be the biggest test for Dasmariñas.” — Michael Angelo S. Murillo