Expat.com.ph was invited by our good friends at Ringstar boxing to once again be ringside for the Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas latest fight. Much excitement was created with Senator and pound for pound the best fighter in the world Manny Pacquiao in the audience.
From left to right: Matt Stuart, Dave Davies, Senator Manny Pacquiao & Scott Patrick Farrell
I’m a boxing fan, but not technically adept at the noble art, and was in fact privileged to be attending his first live fight. For those of equal limited knowledge of boxing an IBF Eliminator gives the winner the opportunity to compete for the IBF World Championship Belt, which interestingly Dasmarinas had vacated to compete in this fight.
The fight card had 10 bouts, which included the highly rated Singaporean Mohamad “The Chosen Wan” Ridhwan. The Ridhwan is highly rated and his fight was extremely close with Filipino boxer Chris Leon, with both fighters giving their all and ending the fight with a warm embrace. There were huge celebrations amongst the crowd when Leon won by a split decision.
The event was broadcast live on ABS-CBN and such is the interest in boxing and no doubt aided by having Manny Pacquiao in attendance, was shown in 40 countries. You may well be interested to know Manny has 4.9M Instagram followers!
The Plaza was packed and expectant for the main bout and the MC, who could have come straight from the MGB Grand, with a voice that outstripped his size, whipped up the crowd. The ring walks completed and the referee’s instructions to protect themselves at all times and listen to his instructions completed, the fight commenced. After 12 very competitive rounds the judges score cards read 116-112, 115-113, 117-111, in favor of Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas.
Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas winner of the IBF Welterweight Eliminator Fight & Matt Stuart
In his post-fight interview, Dasmarinas said “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 the fight. I am very happy I won”.
Dasmarinas will now have the opportunity to win back his IBF Belt and all of us at expat.com.ph will be supporting him and hopefully be in attendance, courtesy of Ringstar boxing, all details will be published on our website.
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. In conversation the plan is to have several events in the Philippines in the future and watch this space for details.
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.”
Thanks to the Ringstar CEO, Scott Patrick Farrell and we are very appreciative of the relationship between Ringstar Boxing and expat.com.ph.
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