Dasmarinas to challenge Inoue on June 19

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – Mandatory challenger Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines will challenge WBA and IBF bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue of Japan on June 19 at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

Dasmarinas (30-2-1, 20 KO’s) is rated no.1.

He may not be the first name on everybody’s lips, but ‘Hot and Spicy’ has the chance of a lifetime to upset the odds against the fearsome ‘Monster.’

“Be as ferocious as the wild,” said Dasmarinas told a Facebook.

The top-ranked Filipino southpaw recently had to spar with the undefeated Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin (17-0, 15KO’s). The two elite bantamweights had a mind-blowing high-level sparring session in Hardstone Boxing Gym.
“Difficulties increase the nearer we approach the goal,” said Dasmarinas.

Dasmarinas and Inoue (20-0, 17 KO’s) have agreed to terms for a 118-pound title fight that will be streamed worldwide on ESPN.

Inoue, 28, hasn’t been in the ring since he stopped Jason Moloney via seventh-round KO in October 2020.

PHOTO. Michael ‘Hot and Spicy’ Dasmarinas (left) and Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin