24 MARCH 2019 - MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Camarines Sur-native Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas stunned Kenny “Big Heart” Demecillo, and won by unanimous decision, in the IBF eliminator fight held at the Resorts World Saturday night in front of a packed crowd, which included 8-division world champion boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao in the audience.
The judges score cards read 116-112, 115-113, 117-111, in favor of Dasmarinas, who had to vacate his IBO world bantamweight title, to participate in this fight.
Dasmarinas, “All out po ako sa laban na ito, wala akong naging doubt sa training ko, mentally and physically, naging preparado ako para sa laban na ito. Sobrang saya ko po na nanalo ako.” (I went all out in this fight, I had no doubt with my training. Mentally and physically, I was well prepared for this fight. I am very happy I won.)
The boxing match was the first co-promoted venture between Singapore-based Ringstar Asia, headed by Scott Farrell, and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. Dasmarinas’ last 3 fights, including his IBO world title win last 2018, were all held in Singapore as well.
The fight card had 10 bouts, which included Singaporean boxer Muhamad “The Chosen Wan” Ridhwan, who lost by split decision to Filipino boxer Cris Leon.
When Senator Pacquiao was asked about the event and the first co-promotion, he said, “They were exciting fights, everybody’s happy, it was a very successful promotion. This is also a good opportunity for Filipino boxers to have a chance to fight outside the country, specially in the United States.”