Dasmariñas in fight of his life

CEBU, Philippines —  Filipino boxer Michael “Hot ‘N Spicy” Dasmariñas (30-2-1, 20KOs) steps on the biggest stage of his career as he challenges the undefeated Japanese “Monster” Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17KOs) for the IBF and WBA bantamweight titles on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Phl time) at The Theater of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Going into the fight, Dasmariñas is a heavy underdog but the pride of Pili, Camarines Sur who has not tasted defeat since 2014 is highly confident on his chances of stunning Inoue.

“I did everything I am supposed to do in training, and I am prepared, and I will do whatever it takes to give a good fight to Naoya Inoue,” Dasmariñas said. “It was a long, hard wait (after winning the IBF title eliminator in March 2019, but patience and perseverance allowed me to get here. I am thankful to everyone that I’ve been given the chance to fight a great fighter in Naoya Inoue.”

“America has to learn about my very hot and spicy punches!,” he added.

Dasmariñas must brace for one big war though as Inoue is determined to not let anyone get in his way to become an undisputed champion.

“Basically, (becoming undisputed champion) means I’m the best in that weight class, the bantamweight division. To prove that, that’s why I’m going after all four belts,” Inoue shared. “I feel the expectations, and I want to answer those expectations, and I want to have a performance to answer to those expectations.”

Inoue added the WBA bantamweight belt to his IBF crown after winning by a hard-earned unanimous decision over four-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. in their brutal and bloody battle in November 2019.

Now Inoue is up again against a tough Filipino warrior who is hell-bent on giving him a run for his money.

“Monster is back in the United States, and he’s fighting a tough Filipino. And I know from experience how tough Filipino fighters are. So this should be a very, very enjoyable fight. I can’t wait for Saturday night (today) because the fists will be flying,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.