By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino pug Michael Dasmariñas can’t wait to set foot in the ring with Naoya “Monster” Inoue on June 20 (Manila time) in Las Vegas.
Named as a straight underdog by various sports betting websites and boxing analysts, many think that the star from the Philippines won’t stand any chance against the current bantamweight king.
However, head trainer Tacy Macalos, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight champion in 1988, thinks otherwise.
Macalos is confident that they did enough in training against Inoue adding Dasmariñas will be giving his all once the bell starts.
“Alam namin dehado kami. Pero pagsikapan namin na ipakita sa kanila na laban talaga kami. Yung kundisyon niya okay na. Naka-recover na siya,” said Macalos.
Currently holding an impressive 30-2 with 20 knockouts, Dasmariñas’ heavy mitts can’t be taken away in the fight and he proved it in his last showings.
Meanwhile, Inoue, who flaunts a 20-0 record with 17 knockouts, will be seeking to keep his WBA, IBF, and Ring magazine bantamweight belts.
Macalos added that their camp will make sure to surprise Inoue and keep the fight as close as possible and look to stain Inoue’s record for the first time.
