MICHAEL DASMARIÑAS of the Philippines is eyeing an upset win when he faces International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion Naoya 'The Monster' Inoue of Japan at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday (Philippine time).

Nicknamed Hot 'N Spicy, Dasmariñas carries a 30-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 20 knockouts (KOs).

On the other hand, The Monster heads to the match with a pristine 20-0 record with 17 KOs.

Dasmariñas tipped the scales at 117.4 pounds, and Inoue stepped in at 118 pounds during the official weigh-in at Las Vegas on Saturday.

Known for his speed and punching power, the 28-year-old Inoue is coming off two impressive victories, including a win over Nonito Donaire on November 2019 for the WBA super belt. The 5'5' Japanese Monster also scored a seventh round KO win over Australian Jason Moloney on October 2020.

Similarly, Dasmariñas last fought in October 2019 when he knocked out Artid Bamrungauea of Thailand.

The 28-year-old Hot 'N Spicy fighter knows he is in for a tough challenge against Inoue, and that's why he has been training every which way he can to prepare for the biggest fight of his career.

'I did everything I could in the training. So, I will also do everything I can in the fight. I will give Inoue a good fight,' said the 5'7' Dasmariñas in Filipino during the match press conference on Friday. 'America has to expect spicy punches.'

As the favorite to win the fight, Inoue said he feels the high expectations the punters have of him.

'I'm the best at bantamweight. To prove that, that's why I'm going after all four belts. I feel the expectation, and I want to answer that expectation. And I want to be able to have that performance on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to answer those expectations,' Inoue said.

The Filipino-Japanese match has taken more than two years to materialize. As early as March 2019, Dasmariñas became the mandatory challenger to Inoue when he beat compatriot, Kenny Demecillo.

Hailing from Pili, Camarines Sur, the Hot 'N Spicy contender admitted it was an arduous wait for him but that he was grateful that he was finally getting a crack at Inoue's belts.

'It's challenging to wait, but we need to be patient to chance upon this opportunity,' said Dasmariñas, whose fight against Inoue is being organized by Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc. promotions. 'I'm thankful that I finally have a chance for a title fight. That's why I did everything I could in my training.'

Meanwhile, three weeks ago, Donaire floored Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in a WBC title match to become the oldest fighter to win a world championship in the bantamweight division at age 38.