Naoya Inoue stood in the center of the ring in Las Vegas on May 5, 2025, with blood dripping from his mouth and fire burning in his eyes. The Japanese sensation, nicknamed “The Monster,” defended his undisputed super bantamweight world titles against the fearless and unpredictable Ramon Cardenas in one of the most thrilling bouts of the year.
Inoue didn’t cruise through this fight. Cardenas knocked him down early, challenged him with relentless pressure, and nearly shocked the boxing world. But Inoue responded with power, precision, and heart. He floored Cardenas twice before finishing him with a TKO in the 10th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The Fight Begins with Fire
The atmosphere inside the MGM Grand vibrated with energy as the opening bell rang. Inoue came out calculated and calm, testing distance with his jab. Cardenas, however, surprised everyone with his aggressive start. He slipped Inoue’s early shots, closed distance quickly, and targeted the body with combinations.
In the second round, Cardenas landed a sharp left hook that caught Inoue off balance and dropped him to the canvas. The crowd gasped, stunned by the sight of the unbeaten champion on the floor. Inoue bounced up immediately, but the knockdown ignited the fight. Cardenas gained confidence and began pushing the pace.
Inoue Regains Control
After the knockdown, Inoue refused to panic. He adjusted his stance, increased his head movement, and began walking Cardenas down. In rounds three through five, Inoue focused on cutting off the ring and attacking with punishing right hands to the ribs and uppercuts through the middle.
Cardenas absorbed the damage well and returned fire with flashy counters. Still, Inoue’s punches carried more weight. In the sixth round, Inoue finally broke through. He connected with a thunderous left hook that staggered Cardenas and followed up with a brutal uppercut that sent him crashing to the mat.
Cardenas beat the count, but Inoue smelled blood. He trapped the American in the corner and unloaded a furious barrage that almost ended the fight. The bell saved Cardenas, but Inoue now controlled the tempo.
Ramon Cardenas Shows His Warrior Spirit
Cardenas refused to fade. In the seventh and eighth rounds, he dug deep, exchanged heavy leather, and forced Inoue into a brutal slugfest. He targeted Inoue’s left eye, which began to swell from repeated jabs and hooks. Cardenas’ corner urged him to press harder, sensing the champion’s discomfort.
Inoue acknowledged the challenge, but he didn’t back down. He exchanged bombs with Cardenas, took punishment, and returned it with interest. The crowd roared with every exchange, witnessing a war that tested the resolve of both fighters.
The Turning Point: Round 9
In round nine, Inoue made the necessary adjustment. He began throwing feints to freeze Cardenas, then timed his counters with brutal precision. One particular sequence — a right hook to the body followed by a clean overhand right — wobbled Cardenas.
Inoue then stepped in, threw a combination that landed flush, and sent Cardenas down for the second time in the fight. The challenger beat the count again, but his legs wobbled. Inoue didn’t rush. He measured his target and waited for the right moment to finish.
Inoue Seals the Win in Round 10
In the 10th round, Inoue closed the show. He pressured Cardenas against the ropes and delivered a three-punch combination that forced the referee to jump in and wave it off. Cardenas, dazed and exhausted, nodded in agreement. He knew Inoue had earned the victory.
The crowd erupted. Fans in Tokyo and across the world celebrated as Inoue extended his unbeaten record to 27–0, with 24 of those wins coming by knockout. He raised his gloves, bowed in all directions, and embraced his opponent in a show of mutual respect.
Post-Fight Reactions
After the fight, Inoue addressed the crowd. “He hit me hard early,” Inoue admitted. “But I knew I had to stay calm. My team told me to stick to the plan, and I followed it. I respect Cardenas — he’s strong, and he didn’t quit. But I don’t quit either.”
Ramon Cardenas also spoke to reporters. “I gave everything,” he said. “I hurt him early, and I thought I could finish him. But Inoue showed why he’s one of the best in the world. I’ll be back. This is only the beginning.”
Inoue’s trainer, Hideyuki Ohashi, praised his fighter’s mental strength. “He stayed focused after the knockdown. He didn’t lose control. That’s what champions do.”
Stats from the Bout
- Naoya Inoue: 178 punches landed (of 356 thrown)
- Ramon Cardenas: 142 punches landed (of 379 thrown)
- Knockdowns: Inoue (1), Cardenas (2)
- Power Punch Accuracy (Inoue): 61%
- Power Punch Accuracy (Cardenas): 43%
- Total Time of Fight: 10 rounds, 2 minutes, 11 seconds
What This Win Means for Inoue
Inoue didn’t just defend his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO super bantamweight titles. He proved something deeper — that he can recover from adversity and finish strong. Critics questioned his ability to take a punch against a hungry contender. On May 5, he gave them their answer.
This victory further cements Inoue’s claim as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. His ability to stay composed under pressure, adapt his tactics, and deliver clinical finishes continues to set him apart from other champions.
With this win, Inoue now eyes a potential move up to featherweight. Rumors already circulate about a unification bout against WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas or a blockbuster fight with Brandon Figueroa. Inoue’s camp has not confirmed anything yet, but fans eagerly await the announcement.
Cardenas Gains Respect Despite Defeat
Cardenas didn’t win, but he earned respect. Entering the fight as a massive underdog, he silenced doubters by knocking Inoue down and fighting toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s most feared punchers. His heart, grit, and tactical sharpness raised his stock in the division.
Promoters now view Cardenas as a must-watch fighter. With this experience under his belt, he could line up another title shot by early 2026. Several contenders, including Sam Goodman and Ra’eese Aleem, have expressed interest in facing him.
Looking Ahead
Naoya Inoue controls the super bantamweight division. If he stays, challengers must rise to meet his dominance. If he moves up, he could chase greatness in a fourth weight class. Either way, his legacy continues to grow.
The boxing world now watches Inoue’s every move. Fans already compare his path to legends like Manny Pacquiao. With every victory, every comeback, and every knockout, Naoya Inoue doesn’t just win belts — he makes history.
