Naoya Inoue took out a game Ramon Cardenas in his first fight in America since 2021 to retain his status as the undisputed super bantamweight champion.
Inoue (30-0) beat Cardenas (26-2) via TKO in a fight that was easily the best during a busy weekend for boxing.
At certain points, Inoue survived the offense of Cardenas. The American absorbed several key shots from Inoue and landed punches between Inoue's offense. Some shots threw the Japanese star off guard, as seen when Cardenas dropped Inoue in round two.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas replay on Fubo (free trial)
The world watched in awe as Cardenas took it to Inoue. However, Inoue did not falter. He adapted, landing crisp jabs and uppercuts through the fight, especially by the corner. Cardenas would still counter Inoue's shots with massive right hands. At one point, Inoue went from the -6500 favorite to the -1400 favorite.
INOUE JUST GOT CAUGHT. pic.twitter.com/e99cBugE1a
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
Just two years ago, Cardenas was working as a Lyft and DoorDash driver. His stock rose as the fight continued, but Inoue wouldn't let him have all the glory. Inoue landed several big uppercuts that had Cardenas in trouble late in the fight. It all came together when Cardenas got dropped in the seventh.
Cardenas was a sitting duck as Inoue dropped him again in the eighth. The referee warned Cardenas before the round and ended the fight following that knockdown. Whether premature or not, the stoppage seemed inevitable. The judges scored the fight 68-63 on all three cards in favor of Inoue at the time of stoppage.
KING ****.
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
INOUE STAYS ON TOP. pic.twitter.com/Igd1Zo9YxI
Per CompuBox, Inoue landed 176 of 462 punches (38.1%), with 64 of 117 power punches (55%) landed over the last three rounds. He landed 48 strikes in the sixth. Cardenas landed 80 of 290 punches (27.6%). Inoue has now won eleven straight via knockout.
Up next for Inoue is an anticipated showdown against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September. However, he will keep an eye on "MJ's" tune-up fight against Luis Castillo on May 30. After that? Inoue looks to fight Nick Ball and Junto Nakatani.
Did you want some more action after a fight weekend that didn't quite excite? Mexican superstar Rafael Espinoza had you covered on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
MORE: Top 12 pound-for-pound fighters in boxing
The WBO featherweight champion pummeled Edward Vazquez to retain his title in the co-main event. Espinoza used his height and reach advantage to bully Vazquez, who, to his credit, was taking it all with stride.
Vazquez (17-3), the pitbull, did not give in, even when Espinoza (27-0) pummeled him with uppercuts and hooks. It wasn't until the seventh that the referee saw enough and stopped the fight. Per CompuBox, Espinoza landed 207 of 520 shots (39.8%) with sixty body shots. He connected with 30+ punches in four straight rounds. Vazquez landed 123 of 325 punches (37.8%).
Up next for Vazquez? Potentially Bruce Carrington or division champions Stephen Fulton, Ball, and Angelo Leo. He is also interested in fighting Inoue, who previously said his limit to move in weight is featherweight.
The Sporting News provided results from the entire Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas card.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas full card results
- Naoya Inoue (c) def. Ramon Cardenas via TKO for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring super bantamweight titles (0:45 into round eight)
- Rafael Espinoza (c) def. Edward Vazquez via TKO for the WBO featherweight title (1:47 into round seven)
- Rohan Polanco def. Fabian Maidana via unanimous decision (100-89, 100-89, 100-89)
- Emiliano Fernando Vargas def. Juan Leon via TKO (1:40 into round two)
- Mikito Nakano def. Pedro Marquez via TKO (1:58 into round four)
- Art Barrera Jr. def. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. via TKO (1:15 into round six)
- Raeese Aleem def. Rudy Garcia via unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 99-91)
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