Japanese pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue is coming back to America.
The history-making, four-weight world champion Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) will defend his undisputed super-bantamweight crown to WBA #2 Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) on Sunday, May 4, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old Inoue has not fought in America since 2021 and has since won undisputed titles in two divisions – bantam and super-bantamweight – cementing his status as a generational great.
Promoted by Top Rank, Chairman Bob Arum said, “Naoya Inoue is among the most powerful and well-rounded fighters I’ve had the privilege of promoting, a singular boxing talent.
“After many years selling out arenas and stadiums in his native Japan, ‘The Monster’ is ready to take over Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend.”
Inoue is unbeaten in 24 world title fights with 22 knockouts, a staggering championship run that began 11 years ago with his April 2014 knockout of Adrian Hernandez to win the WBC light-flyweight title.
Trained by his father, Shingo Inoue, he continued with a decade of dominance, clocking up seven defences of the WBO super-flyweight world title, before a nine-fight streak at bantamweight which concluded with a late stoppage of Briton Paul Butler to win the undisputed championship in December 2022.
From Kanagawa, the father of three then became undisputed super-bantamweight champion within just two fights, knocking out then-unified champions Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales, both during 2023.
Last May, he packed 50,000 fans into the Tokyo Dome, overcoming a flash first-round knockdown to stop former two-division king Luis Nery in six rounds.
Naoya has since made two further defences of his 122lbs undisputed crown, firstly forcing tough Irishman TJ Doheny to retire in seven, then he dealt with late replacement Ye Joon Kim quickly in four.
Unbeaten Inoue said, “I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career. Fighting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight, and I look forward to putting on a great show for everyone in attendance. Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation.”
The WBA Continental Latin Americas champion, Ramon ‘Dinamita’ Cardenas, enters his first world title challenge following a 14-fight winning streak, a highly impressive run that began with a September 2017 decision victory over Gabino Hernandez.
The 29-year-old Texan graduated to contender in 2024 after a brace of brilliant victories, firstly forcing Mexican Israel Rodriguez Picazo to retire on his stool with a broken jaw, then knocking out Eduardo Ramirez in the ninth round of a competitive contest.
Cardenas returned to headline in his native San Antonio just last month in February, overcoming a knockdown to earn a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten prospect, Bryan Acosta.
The Acosta victory was a career-best win that authenticated his right to call out a generational great in Inoue, declaring, “I want to fight the best!”
His wish has now come true and he has a unique chance to cause what would go down as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history if the 36/1 underdog can win at home against the visitor.
The American added, “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.
“I always knew our paths would cross. I never had any doubts. When the fight was offered, I instantly accepted. I wouldn’t say it’s a lottery ticket, but you can’t turn it down if you get a chance at the undisputed title. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Bob Arum concluded, “Ramon Cardenas is a worthy challenger who has earned this opportunity with several impressive victories.”
If Inoue is successful against Cardenas, then his next fight is already lined up, scheduled for September 14 against Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
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