Naoya Inoue successfully defended his undisputed junior featherweight title against Ramon Cardenas, triumphing in a fierce bout that concluded in the eighth round at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on May 4. The fight ended when the referee stepped in to stop the match just 45 seconds into the round, leaving Inoue with yet another knockout victory.
The match showcased a spirited contest, particularly notable for Cardenas’s unexpected knockdown of Inoue in the second round, marking only the second time Inoue has hit the canvas in his career. This moment momentarily shifted the momentum, with Cardenas gaining confidence early on. However, Inoue quickly demonstrated his composure and skill, dominating the latter rounds with a barrage of powerful punches.
Inoue’s victory was particularly significant as it marked his return to the boxing scene in the United States for the first time since 2021, when he defeated Michael Dasmarinas. With this latest win, Inoue has now achieved 11 consecutive world title wins by knockout, a feat only matched by a few boxers in history.
Notably, the event followed a mixed weekend for boxing, including Ryan Garcia’s defeat and Canelo Alvarez’s lackluster performance. Inoue’s presence in the ring this weekend helped to revitalize the atmosphere as fans looked forward to an exciting showdown, and he delivered just that.
The evening was also marked by other impressive bouts, including Rafael Espinoza’s robust defense of his title against Edward Vazquez and Rohan Polanco’s commanding victory over Fabian Maidana, indicating a strong night for boxing overall.
Fans and analysts alike are optimistic about Inoue’s future bouts, especially as he continues to build on his impressive record and solidify his standing as a top contender in the sport. This might just be the spark boxing needs to regain some momentum moving forward.