FILIPINO BOXER IN LANDMARK FIGHT
Inoue, Dasmariñas clash in Las Vegas
The camp of mandatory challenger Michael Dasmariñas doesn’t see the Filipino fighter assuming the role of a sacrificial lamb against Japanese star Naoya Inoue on 19 June at the newly-opened Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.
In fact, Dasmariñas is being eyed to arrive in the United States weeks ahead of the twobelt world bantamweight championship bout at The Theater, a 4,500-capacity venue. “We have been advised to wait for a visa appointment at the US Embassy and that we should be there in America at least three weeks before the fight,” Dasmariñas’ chief handler Art Monis said yesterday.
Expect a full capacity.
Dasmariñas is the heavy underdog in his bid to take the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation 118-lb straps from Inoue’s waist.
You simply can’t blame oddsmakers from installing Ioue, nicknamed “Monster,” as the huge favorite to stave off Dasmariñas.
But Dasmariñas believes he can get the job done through hard training and dedication with Monis putting all the stops.
Three solid sparmates are on their way to La Union in the coming days and weeks to help in the preparation for Dasmariñas stab at glory. “We’ll have Ken Jordan on board on 26 April and John Gemino on 27 April, John Gemino is arriving. KJ Cataraja is also coming over on 1 May,” Monis said.
Cataraja’s arrival is being keenly-awaited.
The Cebuano fighter once served as Inoue’s sparring partner in Yokohama last year and his insights could prove crucial in Dasmariñas’ quest for stardom. Still, Dasmariñas’ is not solely depending on Cataraja’s tips alone.
He knows he has to shore up the other facets of his buildup to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Top Rak head Bob Arum, who promotes Inoue, is looking forward to a terrific show since spectators will be allowed in. “Expect a full capacity,” Arum told Daily Tribune yesterday from his Las Vegas lair.