Photo from Ringstar Boxing
Reigning IBO bantamweight champion Michael Dasmariñas escaped an upset with a split draw against undefeated Ghanian prospect Manyo Plange in a non-title bout on Saturday in the Roar of Singapore 5 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
Dasmariñas got a surprise challenge from the feisty Plange, who was fearless and showed little respect for the champion from the opening bell.
The 26-year-old Dasmariñas (28-2-1, 19 KOs), who had a two-inch height advantage, tried to use to his jab and keep the right distance but Plange, (17-0-1, 15 KOs) kept attacking.
The judges scored it, 93-97, 95-95, and 96-94.
It was Dasmariñas’ third straight fight in Singapore after knocking out Frenchman Karim Guerfi in the fourth round to win the belt five months ago and also scoring a stoppage over Thai boxer Worawatchai Boonjan late last year.