Philippines, 19 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Inoue to Fight Cardenas in the USA on May 4, Another "Expensive" Mismatch Expected


PhilBoxing.com





I wonder no more why Bob Arum is no longer taken seriously as fight promoter in the United States.

It is official, on May 4, 2025, in a co-promotion with Ohashi of Japan, Arum is bringing back undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in a title defense against Boxrec #10 rated Mexican Ramon Cardenas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what is largely perceived as another mismatch.

Though with a record of 24-1, Cardenas, officially rated #2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), has no prominent world rated opponents in his record which includes mostly fights against domestic opposition.

In an obvious publicity stunt to promote the fight, Inoue nonetheless praised Cardenas as a tough, deserving opponent who readily took up the challenge of facing him. Inoue also thanked the American boxing fans for "faithfully following" his fights even those held in Japan.

Arum had originally planned to pit Inoue against WBA #1 Alan Picasso, also of Mexico but Picasso begged off for not being ready. Picasso would have been a viable challenger, having an unblemished record and beaten at least one world rated opponent, Azat Hovhanissian in his fight resume. Aside from being taller at 5'8", Picasso possesses a different style of fighting from the previous opponents of Inoue.

But with Picasso out, Arum, being the main promoter of this bout in the US, Inoue"s first since 2021, seems to be making another hard sell with Ramon Cardenas using Inoue as spokesman though Naoya does not speak English.

Arum is holding this promotion in time for the Mexican Cinco de Mayo festival and has settled for Cardenas, who is of Mexican blood to lure in the Mexican and Mexican American fans to watch the bout.

But pundits are skeptic. All of Inoue's previous fights in the USA had turned out as mismatches, the last being a three round demolition of fringe Filipino contender Michael Dasmariñas in 2021. They say that holding the fight in Las Vegas is "expensive", given that Cardenas is not expected to last six rounds.

Since latching up with Inoue in 2019 following the first unification bout against aging Filipino champion Nonito Donaire which Naoya almost lost, Arum has planned for a huge reintroduction fight for the Japanese star in the US. But Arum himself torpedoed the scheduled 2020 unification versus then Filipino WBO titlist Johnriel Casimero who is known by American fight fans. Arum instead fed Inoue Australian ex-IBF champion Jason Moloney who lasted just seven rounds.

Then the Dasmariñas massacre in 2021.

And now it appears is Cardenas' turn.

Since losing on points in 2017, Cardenas has not been defeated. But the last fighter he defeated, Bryan Acosta, though then with unbeaten 20-0 record had beaten in his last two bouts, foes with combined 39 wins, 26 losses record.

How is that for credentials?

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SMITH VS. GERMAIN WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • WBO #2 WBA #2 Mikiah Kreps on Weight in Seneca Niagara
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • UFC® RETURNS TO PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WITH BLOCKBUSER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • AMATEUR HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION LEO ATANG SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • “KING” RYAN GARCIA SAN DIEGO MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • Super Lightweight Israel Mercado Looks to Keep Momentum Going this Saturday in Long Beach
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • Middleweight Slugger Raul Salomon Returns to Action April 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • BOXING INSIDER BRINGS DOMINGUEZ BACK TO SONY HALL MAY 9
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • IM Michael Concio rules Bangkok Blitz chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • LIM, VICENTE TOP BANTON CHESS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • SMITH VS. GERMAIN + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • There Are No Miracles— Just Nora Aunor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • Heavyweight Contender Lenier Pero Set to Shine on April 18 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • New Champion, New Era: Lightweight King Keyshawn Davis Defends Throne Against Edwin De Los Santos in Homecoming June 7 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • Rising Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran draws undefeated Isaiah Johnson for Friday's opening round of the inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION KELLY “THE GHOST” PAVLIK TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Fri, 18 Apr 2025
  • Beltran faces Crenz in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Into to fight Jones in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • USA Boxing International Concludes Day Two Competition
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Beltran ready to fight in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Arca stuns English GM, maintains share of top spot in Bangkok Chess Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Melvin’s target is Collazo
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Piala fights Choki in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.