Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight boxing champion, faced a dramatic challenge from Ramon Cardenas on May 4, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Japanese star, nicknamed “The Monster,” was knocked down in the second round but rallied to stop Cardenas in the eighth, defending his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles. This marked Inoue’s first U.S. fight since 2021, delivering an electrifying performance during Cinco de Mayo weekend. Despite Cardenas’ valiant effort, Inoue’s power and precision secured his 30-0 record, with 27 knockouts.
The Fight
Inoue, a 1/50 favorite, entered with a reputation as a pound-for-pound elite, having won titles in four weight classes. Cardenas, a 29-year-old from San Antonio with a 26-1 record and 14 knockouts, aimed to upset the champion. Early on, Inoue controlled the first round with sharp jabs and body shots. However, Cardenas stunned the crowd in the second round, landing a counter left hook that floored Inoue, only the second knockdown of his career. “INOUE JUST GOT CAUGHT,” posted Top Rank Boxing on X, capturing the moment. Inoue rose at the count of seven, shaken but composed, and survived the round.
From the third round, Inoue adjusted, using footwork and jabs to neutralize Cardenas’ counters. By the fourth, he unleashed heavy combinations, targeting the body and head. Cardenas showed heart, landing a right cross and bloodying Inoue’s nose, but the champion’s pressure mounted. In the sixth round, Inoue rocked Cardenas, who fell into the ropes, and in the seventh, a barrage of right hands dropped him in the corner. The eighth round saw Inoue unleash a relentless assault, forcing referee Thomas Taylor to stop the fight at 45 seconds, though Cardenas protested, believing he could continue.
INOUE JUST GOT CAUGHT. pic.twitter.com/e99cBugE1a
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
THIS RINGSIDE ANGLE pic.twitter.com/yEGgjHVtti
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
FINALLY! INOUE RETURNS THE FAVOR! pic.twitter.com/JalHJR1uR1
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
KING ****.
INOUE STAYS ON TOP. pic.twitter.com/Igd1Zo9YxI
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
FIGHT OF THE YEAR.
FIGHTER OF THIS DECADE. pic.twitter.com/oZgaEf33Sw
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 5, 2025
Inoue’s Response
After the victory, Inoue acknowledged the drama, stating, “By watching tonight’s fight, everyone is well aware that I like to brawl. I was very surprised at the knockdown, but I took things calmly and put myself together”.
He praised the Las Vegas crowd of 8474, adding, “The fans here were supportive and great. And I hope I was able to entertain them”. Inoue’s ability to recover from adversity highlighted his skill and mental toughness, cementing his status as a boxing icon.
Cardenas’ Effort
Cardenas, despite the loss, earned respect for his courage. “I never cared about losses. It’s about the best fighting the best,” he said. “I dreamed about fighting in front of thousands of people in Las Vegas. So I came to give everything. I told my trainer, that if I’m going out, then I’m going to go out on my shield”. His performance, including the early knockdown, boosted his reputation, with many noting his stock rose despite the 26-2 record. Cardenas’ left hook echoed Luis Nery’s knockdown of Inoue in 2024, showing his potential against elite competition.
The card featured notable bouts. Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO featherweight title with a seventh-round TKO over Edward Vazquez, dominating with relentless pressure. Rohan Polanco won a unanimous decision over Fabian Maidana, scoring a tenth-round knockdown. Mikito Nakano stopped Pedro Marquez in the fourth round, showcasing featherweight potential with five knockdowns. Other winners included Ra’eese Aleem, Emiliano Vargas, and Art Barrera Jr., contributing to a night where five of seven fights ended by knockout.
Inoue announced a September 2025 fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev, a mandatory WBA challenger, which could test him further. Cardenas, with newfound recognition, is likely to secure high-profile opportunities, possibly against top contenders. The fight’s intensity, dubbed a “fight of the year” contender on X, saved a weekend marred by lackluster bouts from Canelo Alvarez and others, reinforcing Inoue’s draw as a must-watch star.
