PHL boxer Dasmariñas sees boxing as road out of poverty

Photo courtesy of Michael Dasmariñas

By: JP Abcede

Just like any Filipino boxer, Michael Dasmariñas has gone through many challenges just to reach this stage of his career. And to think that the first hurdle he had to go through is his own family.

The former WBC World Youth super flyweight champion recounted how he had to fight for his passion for boxing while growing up. When he was nine years old, a family member burned his boxing gloves just so he would give up the sport. He was also bullied and was told that he would never make it as a boxer because he was thin and frail-looking.

Nevertheless, he persevered and was guided by a cousin who was an amateur boxer that time, and proved that this was his calling. He was also inspired by world-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao. In fact, it was because of this sport that he was able to obtain a high school scholarship, and thus, was able to graduate.

The Camarines Sur native, who is the ninth of 11 siblings, also shared how trying his growing up years were financially. He recalled how happy he was with the first income he made from boxing, which was a mere 200 PHP.

"Masaya na ako noon sa halaga na iyon," Dasmariñas said. "Maski papaano kumita ako ng pera. Naging inspirasyon ko ito para ipagpatuloy ang boxing."

And when he started winning more fights, he realized that this is what he was called to do, so he kept on.

Dasmariñas is excited on his IBO-sanctioned bout against Phupha Por Nobnom of Thailand that would be held on October 20 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre as part of The Roar of Singapore III card. This will be his debut fight for RingStar Boxing, which gave him a three-year contract.

Apart from his fight purse, he will also receive a percentage of endorsements and sponsorship from the boxing promotion's sponsor - Cellmaxx, a sponsorship deal that was just recently put into paper.