Filipino challenger Michael Dasmariñas spoke highly of Japanese super champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue but made it perfectly clear he has a legitimate chance of scoring an upset.
“Inoue is a very good fighter and packs power with either hand,” Dasmariñas told Daily Tribune during a break in his training in La Union.
That’s the only great thing Dasmariñas (30-2-1 with 20 KOs) said about Inoue (20-0 with 17 KOs), who will make a mandatory defense on 19 June at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.
Dasmariñas, who is being looked at as a sacrificial lamb, believes he’s got what it takes to prove his detractors wrong.
“I am training very hard and focused and determined to win a world title,” said the southpaw from Camarines province nicknamed “Hot and Spicy.”
For Dasmariñas, Inoue is just like him.
“Inoue is also human like me. He eats and sleeps like I do and I don’t think he’s got an extra hand apart from the two that we both have.”
Still, Dasmariñas swears beating Inoue, who is 28 years old like him, won’t be easy.
After all, he will be facing a foe regarded as one of the world’s very best regardless of weight.
“I have been studying him, nearly all of his fights, especially against left-handers like me,” Dasmariñas said, whose camp is putting all he stops in his bold bid to win a world crown.
A few days ago, Dasmariñas’ chief handler Art Monis brought in KJ Cataraja of Cebu.
What makes Cataraja’s recruitment vital is his previous work as a sparring partner of Inoue in Yokohama early last year.
“Of course, I am giving Dasmariñas some tips (on how to fight Inoue),” Cataraja said after their first session two days ago.
Cataraja feels Dasmariñas has the “perfect mindset” in preparing for Inoue.
“I can see how dedicated and confident he is. He is not bothered by what people are saying about him. He has a winning attitude.”
Dasmariñas intends to fly out of the country by the end of the month to get used to the local climes in Sin City.
The Inoue showdown will be Dasmariñas’ first on American soil and a victory over Inoue will automatically mean that it won’t be his last.
