Naoya Inoue showed again his pound for pound list credentials, as he defended his WBA (Super) and IBF Bantamweight titles with a ruthless third round KO win against the overwhelmed Michael Dasmarinas in Las Vegas.
‘The Monster’ has desires on completing the world title set at 118 pounds, and he moved a step closer to a potential rematch of his classic World Boxing Super Series final win over current WBC champion, Nonito Donaire, with a dominant defence against his Filipino IBF mandatory challenger.
The damage was done to the body of Dasmarinas, with several bone crunching shots from the Japanese causing mayhem. Dasmarinas was down for the first time in the contest in the second, a left hook to the rib area flooring the challenger, who was in visible pain. He bravely beat the count, but the same shot dropped him again in the third, and the writing was firmly on the wall as the end very much looked nigh.
Inoue hammered in another left hook to the mid-section of his opponent, and, as Dasmarinas slumped to the canvas, the referee correctly called a halt to proceedings.
Thoughts quickly turned to unification, whether that be against old foe Donaire, or WBO boss, John Riel Casimero.
“Getting the win makes me smile, but getting to fight Casimero or Donaire, that brings me another smile” said Inoue post fight.
OUCH 😮
Naoya Inoue with the monstrous body shot knockout. @espnringside pic.twitter.com/W3sg8lOULm
— ESPN (@espn) June 20, 2021
Mikaela Meyer made a successful first defence of her WBO Super Featherweight title with a clear points win against Erica Anabella Farias. Two scores of 98-92 and a third at 97-93 gave Meyer the win.
A ringside view of the exciting back-and-forth action. #MayerFarias #InoueDasmarinas pic.twitter.com/39zz6o2F5r
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 20, 2021
Isaac Dogboe continued his comeback from a May 2019 loss to Emanuel Navarrete as he won the NABF Featherweight title via majority decision against former champion, Adam Lopez. Scores of 97-93 and 96-94 for Dogboe trumped a third verdict of 95-95.
Congratulations to my boy @IsaacDogboe for the win, it was a very tough game but he won by unanimous decision by the judges. #DOGBOELOPEZ pic.twitter.com/Ac4XmOUMrW
— GhTrendingLinks (@ghtrendinglinks) June 20, 2021
Elsewhere, Lindolfo Delgado took an eight round decision won against Salvador Briceno at Super Lightweight, and at Lightweight, Eric Punte won a unanimous decision over six against Jose Antonio Meza.
In the battle of undefeated at Super Lightweight, Omar Rosario scored a fourth and final round stoppage to defeat Omar Rosario.
