Naoya Inoue successfully defended his status as the undisputed super bantamweight champion, though his latest fight required him to overcome a significant challenge.
Facing Ramon Cardenas on Sunday, Inoue found himself in unexpected trouble. In the second round, Cardenas landed a well-timed left hook, sending “The Monster” to the canvas for only the second time in his entire professional career, nearly securing a major upset.
Despite the shock, Inoue quickly beat the referee`s count. The round concluded soon after the knockdown, allowing the champion crucial time to recover in his corner. From that point on, Inoue asserted his dominance, effectively controlling the fight with sharp jabs and relentless body attacks. While Cardenas displayed remarkable toughness and heart, enduring Inoue`s onslaught, he was eventually knocked down in the seventh round. The end came in the eighth round when Inoue`s sustained and powerful offensive barrage forced the referee to halt the contest.
This hard-fought victory reinforces Inoue`s position as one of boxing`s top pound-for-pound fighters. His professional record now stands at a perfect 30 wins with 0 losses, including 27 victories by way of knockout.
