Michael Dasmariñas taps Freddie Roach for Inoue fight


Coach Freddie Roach with Filipino boxer Michael Dasmariñas (Photo from Michael Dasmariñas' Facebook page)

Filipino boxer Michael Dasmariñas tapped the services of veteran trainer Freddie Roach for his world title bout against Japanese star Naoya Inoue on June 19 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dasmariñas, 25, posted a couple of photos on social media, showing his arrival at Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles California.

Dasmariñas is set to take on Inoue, the unified super WBA and IBF bantamweight champion, for his debut fight on US soil since 2012.

This is also the first time that the 25-year-old Filipino boxer will vie for a major world title and is probably considered the biggest challenge of his career.

The man nicknamed "Hot 'n Spicy" earned the rights to square off with the Japanese "Monster" by beating compatriot Kenny Demecillo in March 2019.

In October of the same year, Dasmariñas stunned Thai foe Artid Bamrungauea to improve his record at 30-2-1 on top of 20 knockouts.

Inoue, for his part, remains unbeaten in 20 matches with 17 KOs with the latest coming from Jason Maloney of Australia last October.

READ: ‘I want him’: Done with Moloney, Inoue targets Casimero’s WBO belt

Prior to that, the 28-year-old Japanese champion beat Filipino icon Nonito Donaire, now the WBC bantamweight titleholder, via unanimous decision last November 2019 in a bout that earned the Fight of the Year.

READ: Who is next for the 'Filipino Flash'?