Dasmariñas coming on strong

Michael Dasmariñas made his mark in boxing history as one of Naoya Inoue’s victims and it’s a stain that drives him to keep fighting for redemption. It was in 2021 when Dasmariñas ventured to Las Vegas and challenged the Japanese “Monster” with the super WBA and IBF bantamweight belts at stake. Inoue dropped Dasmariñas thrice with body shots and registered a third-round KO win, leaving the Filipino writhing in pain on the canvas.

Since the debacle, Dasmariñas has gone unbeaten in seven bouts, five by KO. Last weekend, he decked Belize fighter Eduardo (El Mecanico) Esquivel twice in the first round before the bout was called off in the Cayman Islands. Dasmariñas’ record is now 36-3-2, with 25 KOs and his only losses were to Inoue, Lwandile Sityatha on a split decision in South Africa in 2014 and Marbon Bodiongan on a second-round KO in Zambales in 2012.

Dasmariñas, 32, turned pro in 2012, scaling 107 pounds and through the years, went up several weight divisions. The southpaw beat Esquivel for the World Boxing Foundation International featherweight crown. With Dasmariñas in his corner were former Philippine Olympic coach Ting Ariosa, Las Vegas coach Jason Vincent and cutman Daryl Oporto.

Dasmariñas worked out with former IBF lightflyweight king Tacy Macalos at the Hardstone gym in Bangar, La Union, then flew to Los Angeles last month. “Michael was 140 pounds when he arrived,” said the LA-based Ariosa. “We trained at the Wild Card Gym in LA and had four high-level sparring sessions over 24 rounds with up-and-coming 17-year-old sensation Brady Ochoa. From LA, we went to the Cayman Islands. At the weigh-in the day before the fight, Michael was 124.4 pounds and Esquivel, 125.6. With good food, maximum hydration intake and plenty of rest, Michael recovered back to 140.2 pounds when he left the hotel for the fight venue.”

Ariosa said his instructions were simple. “Stick to the gameplan of outboxing Esquivel from the first round until it’s over,” he said. “Our goal now is to go for an eliminator and a championship. Boss Sean (Gibbons) is our only hope of getting the opportunities we are dreaming of.” Dasmariñas is managed by Vilma Verbo of Hardstone Monis Promotions in cooperation with Gibbons, Vincent and Brendan Gibbons.

Dasmariñas returns home on Nov. 17 to reunite with his newly-wed Ilokana bride in Bangar. He has a four-year-old daughter from a previous relationship and she lives with her mother in Davao. Art Monis of Hardstone said Dasmariñas has found his perfect fighting weight. “Tiniis lang ang 118 dahil mandatory siya ni Inoue,” he said. “Sa 122, walang lakas pero sa 126, komportable siya. Tama lang ang 126 kasi pag walang training, mag timbang siya ng 160 plus. Baka kaya pa niya mag world champion at disiplinado. Bago lang kasal kaya inspirado.” Dasmariñas was once the International Boxing Organization bantamweight champion, winning the crown on a fourth-round KO over Frenchman Karim Guerfi in Singapore in 2018 but the strap wasn’t widely recognized. He’s hoping for another chance to shoot for a legit world title.