Scott Patrick Farrell, Michael Dasmariñas, Danrex Tapdasan (© Peter James)

Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmariñas, 26, of the Philippines won the International Boxing Federation Bantamweight Championship title eliminator bout, which was the main event of “Rising Stars.” This earned him a chance to face reigning IBF World Bantamweight Champion Emmanuel “El Sensacional” Rodriguez, 26, of Puerto Rico.

Featuring 11 professional boxing bouts, “Rising Stars” took place at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on March 23, 2019. It is the first co-promoted boxing event of Ringstar Asia of Scott Patrick Farrell, 47, and MP Promotions of Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Sr., 40.

In the main event, Dasmariñas competed in the bantamweight division against Kenny “Big Heart” Demecillo, 26, of the Philippines. Danrex Tapdasan served as the referee.

After 12 three-minute rounds, the IBF Bantamweight Championship title eliminator bout was left in the hands of the judges. Silvestre Abainza scored the bout 116-112 while Greg Ortega and Gil Co scored it 115-113 and 117-111, respectively.

In the end, Tapdasan raised the hand of Dasmariñas, who was declared the winner via unanimous decision. The victory improved Dasmariñas’s professional boxing record to 29 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw while Demecillo now has 14 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws.

Pacquiao watched “Rising Stars” live with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, 40, and their children Emmanuel “Jimuel” Pacquiao, Jr., 18, Michael Stephen Pacquiao, 17, Mary Divine Grace Pacquiao, 13, Queen Elizabeth Pacquiao, 11, and Israel Pacquiao, 4, and Jimuel’s girlfriend Heaven Peralejo, 19. They were also with NBA coach Metta World Peace, 39, who was previously known as Ron Artest, and his son Jeron Artest, 18.

Representing Hardstone Monis Boxing Gym, Dasmariñas is the reigning International Boxing Organization World Bantamweight Champion. He is trained by Epetacio Agapay and managed by Ringstar Management.

Dasmariñas has been reigning as the International Boxing Organization World Bantamweight Champion since April 20, 2018. On the other hand, Rodriguez has been holding the IBF World Bantamweight title since May 5, 2018.

Rodriguez will face reigning World Boxing Association World Bantamweight Champion Naoya Inoue, 25, of Japan in a title unification bout in the World Boxing Super Series semifinals on May 18, 2019 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. The winner will face Dasmariñas.

Here is a clip from the “Rising Stars” bout between Dasmariñas and Demecillo here: