In a thrilling night of boxing at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Naoya Inoue, the reigning absolute world champion in the second bantamweight division, showcased his dominance once again by knocking out American contender Ramon Cardenas on May 4, 2025. This victory marked Inoue's fourth successful title defense, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's elite fighters.
The fight, which was part of a promotional event by Top Rank, began with a surprising twist. Cardenas, making his debut in a world title fight, started strong and managed to send Inoue to the canvas with a powerful counter punch at the end of the second round. The 29-year-old Cardenas, who came into the match with a record of 26 wins and only one loss, seemed to have the upper hand early on, creating a buzz among the fans.
However, the tide turned as the fight progressed. By the sixth round, Inoue, known as "Monster" for his ferocity in the ring, began to regain control. He displayed his trademark resilience and skill, turning the momentum in his favor. In the seventh round, Cardenas found himself on the mat again, struggling to withstand Inoue's relentless assault.
In the eighth round, the inevitable conclusion arrived. After a flurry of punches from Inoue, the referee stepped in to stop the fight, declaring a technical knockout. The official time of the stoppage was recorded as 2:01 of the eighth round, marking a decisive victory for Inoue, who improved his record to 30 wins, with 27 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Inoue's performance was a testament to his training and determination. He had not fought in the United States since 2021, when he knocked out Filipino Michael Dasmarinas in the third round. Since then, he had spent the majority of his career fighting in Japan, but his recent contract with promoter Turki Alalshikh brought him back to Las Vegas, a city known for its vibrant boxing scene.
Following the fight, Inoue expressed his gratitude to the fans and his team, acknowledging the challenge posed by Cardenas. "I knew he was a tough opponent, and he surprised me early on," Inoue said. "But I trained hard for this fight, and I’m happy to have defended my title successfully. I look forward to my next challenge." His next opponent is expected to be interim WBA champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, who also trains under Joel Diaz, the same coach who prepared Cardenas for this bout.
For Cardenas, the defeat was a hard lesson in the high stakes of championship boxing. Despite the loss, he showed promise and skill that could see him bounce back in future fights. After the match, he reflected on his performance, stating, "I gave it my all, and I learned a lot tonight. I’ll come back stronger. This is just the beginning for me." Cardenas's record now stands at 26 wins, with 14 of those by knockout, and two losses.
Inoue's victory not only retained his titles but also demonstrated his readiness for future challenges. He holds championship belts from the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Association (WBA), making him one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport.
The bout was characterized by its intensity and the back-and-forth exchanges that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with fans cheering loudly for both fighters. As the fight progressed, it became clear that Inoue's experience and tactical prowess would ultimately prevail.
As the boxing world looks ahead, the matchup between Inoue and Akhmadaliev is highly anticipated. Scheduled for September 14, 2025, in Tokyo, this fight promises to be a significant event as both fighters bring their unique styles and strengths to the ring.
Inoue's journey in the boxing world began in 2012, and since then, he has made a name for himself across multiple weight classes. He has previously held titles in four different divisions, showcasing his versatility and skill. His victory against Cardenas is a continuation of his legacy and a reminder of why he is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
As fans celebrate Inoue's latest triumph, they are left wondering what the future holds for both him and Cardenas. Will Inoue continue his reign of dominance, or will new challengers rise to the occasion? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world of boxing is always full of surprises, and Inoue remains a formidable force to be reckoned with.
