Dasmariñas coming on strong
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Nov 2024
Dasmariñas.
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 Dasmarinas 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 today 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.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai & Tenshin Nasukawa-Takuma Inoue Blockbuster Cards to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
Thu, 06 Nov 2025JUSTIN LACEY-PIERCE OUTLASTS COURTNEY PENNINGTON IN DETROIT
Wed, 05 Nov 2025The José Sulaimán Boxers’ Fund continues supporting fighters worldwide
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Injured Young, Hawks Still Dominate Magic 127-112
By Reylan Loberternos, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Kamatyas FIDE Rapid chess on Nov 8
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 05 Nov 2025WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025