Ni Gilbert Espeña
TATANGKAIN ni Michael Dasmarinas na maging ikatlong Pilipino na kampeong pandaigdig sa pagkasa kay WBC No. 4, IBF No. 13 at European champion Karim Guerfi ng France para sa bakanteng IBO bantamweight title sa Abril 20 sa ‘Roar of Singapore IV - Night of Champions’ card ng Ringstar Promotions Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore.
Dalawa na lamang ang world boxing champions ng Pilipinas sa katauhan nina IBF super flyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas at IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes na kapwa naidepensa ang kanilang belt nitong Pebrero.
Mahigit isang buwan nagsanay si Dasmarinas sa Japan kasama ang mga world champion roon kabilang si dating WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka.
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Nakalista lamang na No. 12 si Dasmarinas sa WBC ratings na nabakante ang korona matapos mag-overweight ang kampeong si Mexican Luis Nery nang hamunin ni Yamanaki na tinalo niya via 2nd round technical knockout nitong Marso 1 sa Kokukigan, Tokyo, Japan.
Nasa talaan din si Dasmarinas ng WBO bilang No. 13 contender sa kampeong si Zolani Tete ng South Africa.
“Ito na ‘yung pagkakataon ko na makuha ko ang pinaghirapan ko, at ginagawa ko lahat ng makakaya ko sa training para makuha natin ang panalo na ito, para sa bansa ito,” ani Dasmarinas sa Philboxing.com
Sinuportahan ni dating world boxing champion Gerry Penalosa ang kampanya nina Dasmarinas at Jeson Umbal na kakasa naman sa walang talong si Muhamad Ridhwan ng Singapore para sa bakanteng IBO Inter-Continental featherweight title.
“Ringstar is giving Filipino boxers such as Michael Dasmarinas and Jeson Umbal a big break. Without Ringstar, I don’t think that they can have an opportunity like this. They have to grab it, the opportunity to have this break,” ani Penalosa.
Nangako naman si Guerfi na pipilitin niyang maging IBO bantamweight titlist matapos mabigo sa kanyang unang world title bout nang hamunin si ex-WBA flyweight champion Juan Carlos Reveco sa Argentina noong 2012.
“I have seen that he is a tough fighter, a strong puncher, but he has never experienced facing a boxer like me, and I am ready to confront him. I am preparing with my coach and we are 100% focused on this challenge,” diin ni Guerfi. “To all my fans I would like to say not to miss the fight Guerfi vs Dasmarinas which will be explosive. And I would like to thank very gratefully Ringstar for offering me such a great fight.”
May rekord si Guerfi na 26-3-0 win-loss-draw na may 8 panalo sa knockouts kumpara kay Dasmarinas na may 27 panalo, 2 talo na may 18 pagwawagi sa knockouts.
