Naoya Inoue of Japan returns to America to take on challenger Ramon Cardenas in a junior featherweight fight for Top Rank Boxing in Las Vegas this weekend.
It will be for Ionue’s undisputed junior featherweight championship.
Inoue has not fought in the States since 2021, when he defeated Michael Dasmariñas by knockout in the third round to retain the WBA (super bantamweight), IBF, and The Ring bantamweight titles. He has a 29-0 record with 26 of his victories coming by knockout.
Inoue’s last 24 fights were all championship fights, with the first coming in April 2014.
Cardenas has won 14 straight fights and has positioned himself for this fight, which will be his first world title shot. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Bryan Acosta on Feb. 25.
Cardenas is currently 26-1 with 14 knockouts in his career.
It’ll be the first bout between the two competitors when they meet in the ring for a rare Sunday fight.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas predictions:
Sports Illustrated: Naoya Inoue by knockout
Apratim Banerjee writes, ‘Cardenas will look to establish his range and stay away from Inoue’s power early in the rounds. However, he might not be able to gain the respect to stop Inoue from eventually progressing. The Japanese superstar might look to go body-head and earn yet another spectacular finish.
‘Inoue should get the job done with a finish and that too around the halfway point of the fight.’
Sportskeeda: Naoya Inoue via late TKO
Ricardo Viagem writes, ‘(Cardenas will) survive the initial onslaught, but once the fight enters the second half, he’ll eventually crumble before a relentless Inoue, who has stopped his last 10 foes.’
CBS Sports: Naoya Inoue via KO5
Brent Brookhouse writes, ‘Let’s be honest, Inoue is a -10000 favorite. There’s not much doubt who is going to get the win on Sunday. Cardenas winning would upend the boxing world. The real problem for Cardenas is that he is not a big puncher. Beating Inoue would almost certainly require catching him clean with a big shot because Inoue is such a good boxer beyond his elite punching power.’
Forbes: Inoue wins by KO
Trent Reinsmith writes, ‘The betting pick is that Naoya Inoue will continue his run of winning fights via knockout.’
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas odds
Odds according to BetMGM as of Sunday, May 4.
Naoya Inoue (c) -10000
Ramon Cardenas +1200
How to watch Inoue vs. Cardenas
The main card is scheduled to begin on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET. The event will air on ESPN and be streamed on ESPN+ and Disney+. The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.