Philippines, 20 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Another Pinoy next for Inoue


PhilBoxing.com



Michael Dasmariñas.

It won’t be WBO bantamweight champion JohnRiel Casimero battling super WBA/IBF titlist Naoyo Inoue next but another Filipino who’s been waiting over a year for his chance of a lifetime. IBF No. 1 contender Michael Dasmariñas is in line for a crack at Inoue and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons is negotiating the fight with Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda. If Inoue refuses to face Dasmarinas, he runs the risk of losing the IBF belt by default.

“The IBF mandatory defense has been due for a year,” said Gibbons. “Michael has waited a long time for his shot so he goes first. Casimero will do something big in the US around March or April. Showtime loves Casimero.” Dasmarinas, 28, hasn’t fought since halting Thailand’s Chatpayak Sithkopon in Valenzuela City in October last year but his manager Art Monis said he’s been hard at work in Bangar, La Union, since January. “May schedule sana sa San Fernando, La Union, March 16 pero naabutan ng lockdown so ‘di na natuloy,” said Monis. “Kaya doon siya sa training camp sa Bangar kasama nina (IBF minimumweight champion) Pedro (Taduran), Lito Dante at ibang boxers namin.”

Dasmariñas is maintaining a weight of 130 pounds and won’t find it difficult to trim down to the bantamweight limit of 118. He spars with featherweight Juanito Paredes and superfeatherweight Jufel Salina to stay sharp but Monis said once a schedule is confirmed with Inoue, a sparmate who fights like the Japanese will be brought in. Former IBF lightflyweight champion Tacy Macalos is Dasmarinas’ trainer. Monis said Dasmarinas and Taduran, both Bicolanos, are extremely disciplined. “Tagal na sila sa amin,” said Monis. “Wala silang reklamo, basta training lang.”

If Inoue insists to meet Dasmariñas in Japan, Monis said it will come down to whoever is able to land first. “Swertihan na lang kung sino unang makatama ng maganda,” he said. “Sabay ang plano namin kasi pag ‘di niya masaktan si Inoue, bubuntalin ka lalo. May lakas ka rin lang naman, kaya unahan lang ‘yan.” What Monis is wary of is the possibility of an extended quarantine if the fight is in Japan. “Maganda pa rin sana kung sa US ang laban,” he said. “Kung sa Japan at may quarantine, mahaba ‘yun matigil ang training at mabitin sa sparring at ‘di na maka-jogging so masira ang conditioning kagaya ng nangyari kay (Giemel) Magramo. Malaman kay Sir Sean kung saan ang laban, inaayos na raw, nakikipag-negotiate kay Mr. Honda.”

A southpaw, Dasmariñas once held the IBO bantamweight title and has a 30-2-1 record, with 20 KOs. Inoue, 27, is coming off a seventh round stoppage of Jason Moloney in Las Vegas last October and totes a record of 20-0, with 17 KOs. Casimero has repeatedly called out Inoue, mocking him as the Japanese “turtle,” but he’ll wait his turn to engage the “Monster” after Dasmariñas.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • DAZN and Top Rank announce a landmark multi-year media rights deal bringing elite events and a storied archive to DAZN users worldwide
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Top Junior Lightweight Contender Charly Suarez to a Promotional Contract
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 MARCH 2026: Collazo Stops Haro; Fundora KO Ruiz; Barboza Outpoints Sims; Cacace UD Dickens
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Tapales Near Peak Form Ahead of April 3 Tokyo Showdown with Oguni
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Middleweight Championship Battle Between (C) Khamzat Chimaev and (#3) Sean Strickland Headlines UFC® 328 at Prudential Center Live on Paramount+
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Sampson Lewkowicz & TM Boxing Sign Undefeated Mexican Prospect José Ángel Guerrero to Co-Promotional Deal
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • 12-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 18 Mar 2026
  • Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 12-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
    , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • 700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026
  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.