A quick look at the odds for Naoya Inoue’s defense of his world bantamweight titles against Michael Dasmariñas this Sunday in Las Vegas suggests the Filipino mandatory challenger simply doesn’t stand a chance of scoring an upset.
Dasmariñas has been so maligned by oddsmakers that you’d think he’d be like David fighting Goliath, minus the slingshot.
In some sites, placing a wager on Inoue amounting to $3,000 could only win you a paltry $100.
In contrast, a meager $100 bet on Dasmariñas wins a whopping $1,200.
That’s how ridiculous and insulting the odds are for somebody like Dasmariñas, who has trained long and hard for his first shot at the big time in a Top Rank show that will be staged at the Virgin Hotel.
Even hardcore fight fans agree Inoue is of a different breed.
Among the most discriminating observers of the fight game, Inoue’s name is among the top three on the mythical pound-for-pound list next to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford. Undefeated in 20 fights with 17 knockouts, Inoue is the total package.
He has got tons of power and excellent skills.
Aside from these enviable traits, Inoue is also known for his courage, a quality that has made him even more fearsome in the ring.
That bravado Inoue showed when he tangled with Nonito Donaire in November 2019 when the Filipino had him on the brink of defeat.
Instead of melting away and surrendering, Inoue dug deep into his reservoir to repulse Donaire’s challenge with a showcase of immense firepower.
This is precisely the reason why Dasmariñas is being seen as nothing but cannon fodder, an activity fight for someone who is looking into the future.
That future involves Donaire and possibly another Filipino battler, John Riel Casimero.
In a chat with Top Rank TV analysts over the weekend, Inoue spoke about unifying all the bantamweight belts before he decides to move up in weight and go for a fourth world title in as many weight classes.
Things are indeed looking rosy for Inoue, who is aptly nicknamed “Monster.”
But Dasmariñas plans to rain on Inoue’s parade.
The thing is, Dasmariñas will be facing for the first time a fighter in the caliber of Inoue, who is not an ordinary champion but a special one at that.
In a chat with the Bicol-born southpaw, Dasmariñas understands the hype surrounding Inoue but insists he is not going to assume the role of a sacrificial lamb.
Honestly, a win by Dasmariñas is going to shake the foundations of boxing.
If it happens, it would be comparable to the time when Buster Douglas bludgeoned Mike Tyson into submission in Tokyo in 1990. The odds, notwithstanding, I am not thinking twice about rallying behind Dasmariñas’ bold bid. In boxing, you just don’t know what’s gonna happen.
