Naoya Inoue to Defend Undisputed Jr. Featherweight Crown Towards Ramon Cardenas Might 4 at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Japanese preventing icon Naoya Inoue is coming again to America. 

The pound-for-pound king will defend his undisputed junior featherweight world title in opposition to San Antonio native Ramon Cardenas on Sunday, Might 4, at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Inoue has not fought in America since 2021 and has since gained a pair of undisputed titles, cementing his standing as a generational power-punching power.

Promoted by High Rank, in affiliation with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, pre-sale tickets shall be obtainable Thursday, March 13, at 10 a.m. PT by clicking HERE. The general public on-sale is scheduled for Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. PT by way of AXS.com.

Broadcast and undercard info shall be introduced quickly.

“Naoya Inoue is among the many strongest and well-rounded fighters I’ve had the privilege of selling, a singular boxing expertise,” mentioned High Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “After a few years promoting out arenas and stadiums in his native Japan, ‘The Monster’ is able to take over Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Ramon Cardenas is a worthy challenger who has earned this chance with a number of spectacular victories.”

Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) is 24-0 with 22 knockouts in world title fights, a staggering championship run that started along with his April 2014 knockout of Adrian Hernandez to win the WBC mild flyweight title. He continued his decade-plus run of dominance with seven defenses of the WBO junior bantamweight world title earlier than a nine-fight run at bantamweight that concluded along with his stoppage of Paul Butler to win the undisputed title. Inoue toppled future Corridor of Famer Nonito Donaire twice at bantamweight, together with a second-round stoppage in June 2022. Inoue turned the undisputed junior featherweight champion in simply two fights, knocking out then-unified champions Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales in 2023. Final Might, he packed over 50,000 followers into the Tokyo Dome, rising from a first-round knockdown to cease former two-division king Luis Nery in six. Inoue has since made two extra defenses of the undisputed crown, knocking out TJ Doheny in seven and late substitute Ye Joon Kim in 4.

Inoue mentioned, “I’m grateful to the followers in America who’ve adopted my profession. Combating at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas is one other profession spotlight, and I sit up for placing on an important present for everybody in attendance. Cardenas is a troublesome opponent who I respect for accepting the battle with out hesitation.”

Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) enters his first world title task on a 14-fight successful streak, a run of success that started with a September 2017 resolution victory over Gabino Hernandez. He graduated to contender in 2024 with a pair of intestine checks, forcing Israel Rodriguez Picazo to retire on his stool with a damaged jaw and knocking out Eduardo Ramirez within the ninth spherical of a aggressive battle. Cardenas returned to headline in San Antonio final month, overcoming a sixth-round knockdown to earn a unanimous resolution over the beforehand unbeaten Bryan Acosta. Following the Acosta victory, Cardenas known as for the Inoue showdown, saying, “I need to battle the perfect.” He now will get a monster alternative to creator a Las Vegas upset for the ages.

“This implies the world to me. I’ve at all times aspired to battle for a world title, however to get an opportunity to battle for all of the belts is a dream come true,” Cardenas mentioned. “I at all times knew our paths would cross. I by no means had any doubts. When the battle was provided, I immediately accepted. I wouldn’t say it’s a lottery ticket, however you’ll be able to’t flip it down should you get an opportunity on the undisputed title. That is the chance of a lifetime.”

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.

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