"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 05 May 2025
In a historic boxing weekend marred by big disappointments from the Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Canelo Alvarez fights, Naoya "The Monster" Inoue reminded the world why he reigns as the undisputed king of the lower weights where he survived an early knockdown to brutally dismantle game challenger Ramon Cardenas in an eight-round firefight that electrified Cinco de Mayo at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The sold-out, pro-Cardenas Mexican crowd erupted in chaos in Round 2 when the heavy underdog landed a monstrous left hook that sent Inoue crashing to the canvas—just the second knockdown of his legendary career. Cardenas, a relentless pressure fighter, smelled blood and charged forward, unloading furious combinations as Inoue, dazed but never panicked, weathered the storm.
By Round 4, Inoue’s surgical precision and freakish power began carving up Cardenas. A vicious body assault slowed the challenger’s aggression, and in Round 5, Inoue turned the tide with a hellacious right hand that buckled Cardenas’ knees. In round 6 Cardenas, showing iron resolve, fired back in between Inoue's suffocating offense but it is apparent from this juncture the Japanese phenom was totally taking over the fight.
By round 7, all the hallmarks of Inoue's legend – the blinding speed, the earth-shattering power, the suffocating pressure honed in countless ring wars – converged with brutal efficiency. It was then that Cardenas, who had stood defiant until that cataclysmic moment, finally gave way, his descent to the canvas mirroring the dramatic, shuddering fall of a mighty tree after a relentless, chopping barrage. Fallen but still unbowed, Cardenas stood up defiantly to finish the round.
Inoue put on the finishing touches early in round 8 round. Now in full "Monster" mode, Inoue trapped Cardenas against the ropes and unleashed a barrage of hooks, uppercuts, and body blows, forcing referee Thomas Taylor to stepped in at 45 seconds of the round to save Cardenas from further punishment.
The stoppage brought the capacity crowd to its feet—not out of disappointment, but sheer awe. They had witnessed something special: a battle between two warriors willing to leave everything in the ring. And while Cardenas gave it his all, Inoue proved once again that he operates on another level entirely.
"He caught me clean—great punch," admitted Inoue, still undefeated and now with 11 straight stoppages. "But I was able to recover and made it into a thrilling fight."
Inoue's undefeated record has now improved to 30-0 with 27 KOs while Cardenas dropped to 22-2, 14KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 30 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
Wed, 30 Jul 2025“The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend
Wed, 30 Jul 2025Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions
Wed, 30 Jul 20252-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Wed, 30 Jul 2025EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
Tue, 29 Jul 2025The Boss Punches In: Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Prepares for USA Boxing International Debut
Tue, 29 Jul 2025Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 29 Jul 2025FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: Andy Dominguez Defeats Byron Rojas by Split Decision To Win WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight Title on Atlantic City
Mon, 28 Jul 2025ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI KNOCKS OUT ALBEIRO PAREDES IN SECOND ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 7 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
Mon, 28 Jul 2025Hawaiian Punch: Lorenzo Patricio Closes Out Youth International Career
Mon, 28 Jul 2025The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Jul 20253rd DC Athletics Open on Aug. 9-10 at UM
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Jul 2025