By Paulo Loreto Lim

Boxer Michael ‘Gloves on Fire’ Dasmarinas won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) bantamweight title over the weekend after beating French boxer Karim Guerfi via knockout during the “Roar of Singapore IV-Night of Champions” at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The Camarines Sur native won after knocking out his opponent in the fourth round.

“Talagang thankful ako sa mga taong tumulong sa akin (I greatly appreciate the people who have helped me),” the champion said.

Dasmarinas also expressed surprised in the way he won.

“Di ko ine-expect na tatamaan siya na ganoon (I didn’t expect to hit him like that),” he said. “In-expect ko mananalo ako ng knock-out pero di ko inakala na ganon kaaga (I expected to win via knockout, but didn’t think it would happen so early).”

Ahead of the fight, Dasmarinas held an open media workout at the Kerry Sports Manila gym, located at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City.

Last year, Dasmarinas knocked out Phupha Por Nobnom of Thailand in the second round of their undercard fight during the “Roar of Singapore III” event at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre./PLL, WDJ