By: Dennis “dSource” Guillermo
On May 4, 2025, boxing fans will witness a compelling showdown as Japan’s undefeated sensation, Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, defends his undisputed super bantamweight crown against challenger Ramon Cardenas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This bout marks Inoue’s return to the U.S. ring after nearly four years, his last appearance being a third-round knockout of Michael Dasmarinas in June 2021. If that fight were to project how this upcoming Cinco-de-Mayo weekend clash will go, boxing fans are definitely going to be in for a treat.
Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs), who hails from San Antonio, Texas, steps into his first world title fight riding a 14-fight winning streak. But is he a legitimate threat to “The Monster” or is he just fodder to increase Inoue’s status and legacy?
Cardenas’ recent unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Bryan Acosta showcased his resilience and skill. Cardenas expressed his enthusiasm stating, “This means the world to me. I’ve always aspired to fight for a world title, but to get a chance to fight for all the belts is a dream come true”.
Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs), fresh from his destruction of Ye Joon Kim in January, is still at the prime of his career, but has faced criticism over the quality of opponents he has gone against in recent fights. Renowned for his explosive power and technical prowess, Inoue has dominated the super bantamweight division, securing all four major titles, but after his notable sixth-round knockout of Luis Nery, where he overcame his first career knockdown, Inoue has’t really fought stiff competition and fight fans are questioning whether or not Cardenas is the man for the job.
Cardenas said he is 100% fully prepared for the toughest fight of his career and that he is ready to go to war and willing. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight,” Cardenas said in a recent interview. “I know we’re going to be bloody and bruised and I welcome that, because I dreamed about moments like this.” Whether or not his dream and title hopes are to be fulfilled or it turns into his worst nightmare, fight fans will appreciate Cardenas emptying the clip against the man many consider as one of the – if not the best – pound-for-pound boxers of this era.
Promoted by Top Rank in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, the event will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The fight is part of a championship doubleheader, featuring Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO featherweight title against Edward Vazquez.
Dennis Guillermo can be reached at dsource02@gmail.com