The Monster Arrives: Naoya Inoue Is Back in America!
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Apr 2025
Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undisputed junior featherweight battle goes down Sunday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena LIVE on ESPN
LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2025) — Boxing's pound-for-pound monster has arrived on U.S. soil.
Just after touching down at LAX, Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) worked out for the media in Los Angeles, 11 days away from his undisputed junior featherweight title defense against San Antonio's Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This is Inoue's first stateside appearance in nearly four years, and he returns as a two-weight undisputed champion and global superstar. Inoue faced off with Cardenas and then went through the paces in the ring and on the heavy bag. He displayed flashes of the bone-crunching power that's led him to knock out his last 10 foes.
Cardenas and junior welterweight prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs) also participated in the workout. Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs), the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will see action on the bill in an eight-rounder against Spain's Juan Leon (11-2-1, 2 KOs).
This is some of what Inoue had to say in front of the assembled media.
"It took me four years to come back {to America}, but I'd like to return sooner than later."
"There is a great turnout of media today, and I'm very pleased. I know that the expectations are there, and I want to answer those expectations."
"My father watched Barrera, Morales, and Marquez, so those are some of the Mexican fighters I'm fond of."
"Cardenas is a beautiful fighter. He's an all-around good fighter, but for me, it's easy. No matter how he comes out, I think I have the advantage."
Inoue-Cardenas and the WBO featherweight world title showdown between Mexico's reigning champion Rafael Espinoza and Texas native Edward Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Vargas-Leon and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BAM AND HITCHINS LAND HUGE SUMMER SHOWDOWNS LIVE ON DAZN
Thu, 01 May 2025June 7: Kelvin Davis-Nahir Albright Junior Welterweight Rumble Added to Loaded Keyshawn Davis-Edwin De Los Santos Card at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Thu, 01 May 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING IN LOS ANGELES ON MAY 22
Thu, 01 May 2025Cavite beats San Juan and Pasig in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 01 May 2025BEKTEMIR “BEK” MELIKUZIEV AND THE UNDEFEATED DARIUS FULGHUM TO FIGHT IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR
Wed, 30 Apr 2025“FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” MEDIA WORKOUT
Wed, 30 Apr 2025WBC presents "Xicoténcatl" belt for the Canelo-Scull fight in Riyadh
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 30 Apr 2025Thailand to host WBC 63rd Annual Convention in Phuket in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 30 Apr 2025Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Raymond Muratalla: "I’m Ready to Show Out on May 10!"
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Training Camp Notes: Undefeated Lightweight Kaipo Gallegos Prepares for Clash with Pedro Castaneda Castro on May 9 in Orlando
Wed, 30 Apr 2025“THE KING OF THE FOUR ROUNDERS” ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Action Summary Week Ending 28 April 2025
By Eric Armit, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Butler, Green Show Up on Rockets in 109-106 Win
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025