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Michael Dasmariñas boosted preparations for his world title fight against Naoya Inoue in June by enlisting unbeaten KJ Cataraja as his sparring partner.
A huge underdog in his bid for Inoue’s International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association bantamweight crowns, Dasmariñas needs someone familiar with the Japanese Monster’s style and power.
Enter Cataraja, a 12-0 super flyweight prospect who has served as one of Inoue’s sparring partners 3 times since 2018.
According to Art Monis, Dasmariñas’ manager, Cataraja will test his ward’s readiness starting Monday, May 10 at his Hardstone Aris Monis Boxing Gym in Bangar, La Union.
“It will only be for a few rounds, just to break a sweat,” said Monis in Filipino.
Cataraja will spar with Dasmariñas (30-2-1, 20 knockouts) until the mandatory challenger leaves for the 12-rounder with Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) slated on Saturday, June 19 (Sunday, June 20, Manila time) at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Before Cataraja, Dasmariñas also did partner play with featherweight Juanito Paredes and super bantamweight prospect Carl Jammes Martin (17-0, 15 KOs). Another spar mate is hard-hitting super flyweight Ken Jordan (9-1-2, 8 KOs).
In a YouTube post by Martin, Dasmariñas said his chances against Inoue lie mainly on landing the solid punch first.
“Whoever hurts the other first is likely to win,” said Dasmariñas in Filipino.
No wonder, Dasmariñas is giving it all in his training with former world champion Tacy Macalos.
They have also been studying Inoue’s previous fights, hoping to find vulnerabilities.
Who knows, Cataraja may have detected some and ready to point them out. – Rappler.com
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