Philippines, 10 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:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 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.