Inoue vs Cardenas

Who won Inoue vs Cardenas?

Naoya Inoue beat Ramon Cardenas by technical knockout in the 8th round on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Super Bantamweight division, which meant the weight limit was 122 pounds (8.7 stone or 55.3 kg).

This contest was for the undisputed super bantamweight championship of the world, with the WBO, IBF, WBC, and WBA belts on the line.

Inoue was making his 4th defense of the The Ring Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had held this belt for 1 year, 4 months and 29 days.

He was also making his 6th defense of the WBO World Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Stephen Fulton in July 2023. He had held this title for 1 year, 9 months and 30 days.

Also, on the line was his 5th defense of the IBF World Junior Featherweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had been recognised as this champion for 1 year, 4 months and 29 days.

In addition, he was making his 6th defense of the WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship. He won this belt against Stephen Fulton in July 2023. He had been WBC champion for 1 year, 9 months and 30 days.

Finally, he was making his 5th defense of the WBA Super World Super Bantamweight Championship. He won this belt against Marlon Tapales in December 2023. He had been WBA champion for 1 year, 4 months and 29 days.

Also on the undercard Rafael Espinoza beat Edward Vazquez for the WBO World Featherweight championship, Rohan Polanco defeated Fabian Andres Maidana, and Emiliano Vargas was victorious over Juan Leon.

Inoue vs Cardenas stats

Naoya Inoue stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 29 wins, zero losses, and 0 draws.

Ramon Cardenas made his way to the ring with a record of 26 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws.

Naoya Inoue was the older man by 3 years, at 32 years old.

Inoue had a 1-inch reach advantage.

Both Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas fought out of an orthodox stance.

Inoue was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 2 more fights, and made his debut in 2012, 2 years and 9 months earlier than Cardenas, whose first professional fight was in 2015. He had fought 38 more professional rounds, totaling 181 compared to Cardenas' 143.

Ramon Cardenas was ranked number 1 by the WBA, 10 by the WBO, and 8 by the IBF in the 122lb division.

Inoue vs Cardenas form

Inoue remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 5 of his recent opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Ye Joon Kim on January 24, 2025, by knockout in the 4th round in their IBF World Junior Featherweight, WBC World Super Bantamweight, WBO World Junior Featherweight and WBA Super World Super Bantamweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan.

Prior to that, he had defeated TJ Doheny on September 3, 2024, by technical knockout in the 7th round in their IBF World Junior Featherweight, WBA Super World Super Bantamweight, WBC World Super Bantamweight and WBO World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Luis Nery on May 6, 2024, by knockout in the 6th round in their IBF World Junior Featherweight, WBA Super World Super Bantamweight, WBC World Super Bantamweight and WBO World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo.

Before that, he had won against Marlon Tapales on December 26, 2023, by knockout in the 10th round in their IBF World Junior Featherweight, WBA Super World Super Bantamweight, WBC World Super Bantamweight and WBO World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Tokyo.

He had beaten Stephen Fulton on July 25, 2023, by technical knockout in the 8th round in their WBC World Super Bantamweight and WBO World Junior Featherweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku.

Cardenas had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had defeated Bryan Acosta on February 8, 2025, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, United States.

Prior to that, he had defeated Jesus Ramirez Rubio on April 24, 2024, by technical knockout in the 9th round at ProBox TV Events Center, Plant City.

Going into that contest, he had won against Israel Rodriguez Picazo on February 16, 2024, by technical knockout in the 6th round at Whitesands Events Center, Plant City.

Before that, he had defeated Rafael Pedroza on September 15, 2023, by technical knockout in the 2nd round at Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio.

He had beaten Michell Banquez on July 9, 2022, by unanimous decision in their 10 round contest at Alamodome, San Antonio.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Naoya Inoue had been fighting more than Ramon Cardenas.

Going into this contest, Naoya Inoue had last fought 3 months and 10 days ago, while Ramon Cardenas' last outing had been 2 months and 26 days ago.

Inoue's last 5 fights had come over a period of 1 year, 9 months and 9 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 4 months and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 35 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7 rounds on average.

Cardenas' last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 9 months and 25 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 25 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 37 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7.4 rounds on average.

What time did Inoue vs Cardenas start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States, which was around 3:00 AM BST in the UK.

Who broadcast Inoue vs Cardenas?

The ESPN+ show began at 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST. The Sky Sports Action broadcast of the card started at 1:00 AM (BST).

What were the odds on Inoue vs Cardenas?

Naoya Inoue was a 1/40 (-3300) favorite going into the contest, while Ramon Cardenas made his way into the ring at 17/1 (+1600) with oddsmakers.