Philippines, 01 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN


PhilBoxing.com





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:

  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 29 May 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.