Undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue has change into one in all boxing’s must-watch stars. Inoue returns to the ring on Sunday to defend his 4 world titles in opposition to Ramon Cardenas. The struggle will happen at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, marking Inoue’s first struggle in america since 2021.
Inoue’s 2025 marketing campaign obtained off to a considerably disappointing begin when a deliberate January struggle with Sam Goodman fell aside after Goodman withdrew, resulting in Inoue dealing with unheralded late-replacement opponent Ye Joon Kim. As anticipated, Inoue ran by way of Kim in lower than 4 rounds, however it was not the extent of problem followers need to see Inoue face.
In Cardenas, Inoue is dealing with a extra reliable opponent than Kim, however one who has not fought anybody close to Inoue’s degree. Cardenas has emerged as a contender over the previous few years, with wins over Rafael Pedroza, Israel Picazo, and most lately, Bryan Acosta.
Devin Haney uninspiring in clear win over Jose Ramirez, hoping for rematch with Ryan Garcia this fall
Brian Campbell
Inoue is once more anticipated to blow by way of an opponent. He has 26 knockouts in 29 profession fights, and the chances say he’ll kick up knockout 27 on Saturday (Inoue to win by knockout: -835).
“The final two instances I used to be right here, it was throughout the pandemic, and I needed to prepare accordingly. However this time I am combating at T-Cell, and that is going to be the largest distinction,” Inoue mentioned by way of a translator on the closing press convention. “I am very motivated to struggle in entrance of an American crowd in an enormous enviornment like this, however as a result of it is throughout Cinco De Mayo Weekend, it appears like I am enjoying an away sport. So I do not know what to anticipate.
“The best scenario is to indicate the American followers my boxing and win with a knockout. However greater than something, I need individuals to see one thing they have not been in a position to see but within the U.S.”
The hope for a lot of is that Inoue will roll by way of Cardenas earlier than a September struggle with WBA necessary opponent Murodjon Akhmadaliev, probably in Saudi Arabia. A struggle with Akhmadaliev is one many have needed to see, as he often is the hardest problem within the division for Inoue.
First issues first, nonetheless, as Inoue has to not get caught off-guard by a large underdog in Las Vegas.
“I do know it is going to be a troublesome struggle,” Cardenas mentioned. “I do know Inoue is a pound-for-pound nice. However I am prepared for that. I am prepared for the hardest struggle of my profession. I image this being a tough struggle, however I additionally image myself coming on the market and doing my factor and displaying the world who I’m.”
The undercard on Sunday sees a trio of fights within the decrease weight courses. Most notably, Rafael Espinoza seems to defend his WBO featherweight title when he takes on Edward Vazquez within the co-main occasion. Espinoza earned the title with a surprising win over Robeisy Ramirez in 2023 and adopted it up with a TKO win over the previous champ within the rematch final December. Elsewhere, Rohan Polanco and Fabian Maidana are set to satisfy in a welterweight contest. And Ra’eese Aleem takes on Rudy Garcia at featherweight.
Inoue vs. Cardenas struggle card, odds
- Naoya Inoue (c) -10000 vs. Ramon Cardenas +1700, undisputed junior featherweight title
- Rafael Espinoza (c) -1430 vs. Edward Vazquez +800, WBO featherweight title
- Rohan Polanco -3335 vs. Fabian Maidana +1150, welterweights
- Ra’eese Aleem -3335 vs. Rudy Garcia +1200, featherweights
The place to look at Inoue vs. Cardenas
- Date: Could 4 | Location: T-Cell Enviornment — Las Vegas
- Begin time: 10 p.m. ET
- The place to look at: ESPN/ESPN+
Prediction
Let’s be sincere, Inoue is a -10000 favourite. There’s not a lot doubt who’s going to get the win on Sunday. Cardenas profitable would upend the boxing world. The true drawback for Cardenas is that he’s not an enormous puncher. Beating Inoue would virtually definitely require catching him clear with an enormous shot as a result of Inoue is such boxer past his elite punching energy.
The query turns into how far Cardenas could make it within the struggle. The percentages say the struggle will not go the gap (-715) however Cardenas has solely misplaced as soon as and it was not by knockout. Regardless of that, it feels unlikely he can maintain as much as 12 rounds of Inoue’s explosive offense. Choose: Naoya Inoue through KO5
require.config({“baseUrl”:”https://sportsfly.cbsistatic.com/fly-0955/bundles/sportsmediajs/js-build”,”config”:{“model”:{“fly/parts/accordion”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/alert”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/base”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/carousel”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/dropdown”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/fixate”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/form-validate”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/image-gallery”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/iframe-messenger”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/load-more”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/load-more-article”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/load-more-scroll”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/loading”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/modal”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/modal-iframe”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/network-bar”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/ballot”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/search-player”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/social-button”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/social-counts”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/social-links”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/tabs”:”1.0″,”fly/parts/video”:”1.0″,”fly/libs/easy-xdm”:”2.4.17.1″,”fly/libs/jquery.cookie”:”1.2″,”fly/libs/jquery.throttle-debounce”:”1.1″,”fly/libs/jquery.widget”:”1.9.2″,”fly/libs/omniture.s-code”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init”:”1.0″,”fly/libs/jquery.cellular”:”1.3.2″,”fly/libs/spine”:”1.0.0″,”fly/libs/underscore”:”1.5.1″,”fly/libs/jquery.easing”:”1.3″,”fly/managers/advert”:”2.0″,”fly/managers/parts”:”1.0″,”fly/managers/cookie”:”1.0″,”fly/managers/debug”:”1.0″,”fly/managers/geo”:”1.0″,”fly/managers/gpt”:”4.3″,”fly/managers/historical past”:”2.0″,”fly/managers/madison”:”1.0″,”fly/managers/social-authentication”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/data-prefix”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/data-selector”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/function-natives”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/guid”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/log”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/object-helper”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/string-helper”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/string-vars”:”1.0″,”fly/utils/url-helper”:”1.0″,”libs/jshashtable”:”2.1″,”libs/select2″:”3.5.1″,”libs/jsonp”:”2.4.0″,”libs/jquery/cellular”:”1.4.5″,”libs/modernizr.customized”:”2.6.2″,”libs/velocity”:”1.2.2″,”libs/dataTables”:”1.10.6″,”libs/dataTables.fixedColumns”:”3.0.4″,”libs/dataTables.fixedHeader”:”2.1.2″,”libs/dateformat”:”1.0.3″,”libs/waypoints/infinite”:”3.1.1″,”libs/waypoints/inview”:”3.1.1″,”libs/waypoints/jquery.waypoints”:”3.1.1″,”libs/waypoints/sticky”:”3.1.1″,”libs/jquery/dotdotdot”:”1.6.1″,”libs/jquery/flexslider”:”2.1″,”libs/jquery/lazyload”:”1.9.3″,”libs/jquery/maskedinput”:”1.3.1″,”libs/jquery/marquee”:”1.3.1″,”libs/jquery/numberformatter”:”1.2.3″,”libs/jquery/placeholder”:”0.2.4″,”libs/jquery/scrollbar”:”0.1.6″,”libs/jquery/tablesorter”:”2.0.5″,”libs/jquery/touchswipe”:”1.6.18″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.draggable”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.mouse”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.place”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.slider”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.sortable”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.touch-punch”:”0.2.3″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.accordion”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.menu”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.dialog”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.resizable”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.button”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tooltip”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.results”:”1.11.4″,”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.datepicker”:”1.11.4″}},”shim”:{“liveconnection/managers/connection”:{“deps”:[“liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4″]},”liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4”:{“exports”:”SockJS”},”libs/setValueFromArray”:{“exports”:”set”},”libs/getValueFromArray”:{“exports”:”get”},”fly/libs/jquery.mobile-1.3.2″:[“version!fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init”],”libs/spine.marionette”:{“deps”:[“jquery”,”version!fly/libs/underscore”,”version!fly/libs/backbone”],”exports”:”Marionette”},”fly/libs/underscore-1.5.1″:{“exports”:”_”},”fly/libs/backbone-1.0.0″:{“deps”:[“version!fly/libs/underscore”,”jquery”],”exports”:”Spine”},”libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs-1.11.4″:[“jquery”,”version!libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core”,”version!fly/libs/jquery.widget”],”libs/jquery/flexslider-2.1″:[“jquery”],”libs/dataTables.fixedColumns-3.0.4″:[“jquery”,”version!libs/dataTables”],”libs/dataTables.fixedHeader-2.1.2″:[“jquery”,”version!libs/dataTables”],”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js”:[“https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js”]},”map”:{“*”:{“adobe-pass”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js”,”fb”:”https://join.fb.web/en_US/sdk.js”,”facebook-debug”:”https://join.fb.web/en_US/all/debug.js”,”google”:”https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js”,”google-csa”:”https://www.google.com/adsense/search/async-ads.js”,”google-javascript-api”:”https://www.google.com/jsapi”,”google-client-api”:”https://accounts.google.com/gsi/shopper”,”gpt”:”https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.web/tag/js/gpt.js”,”hlsjs”:”https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hls.js/1.0.7/hls.js”,”recaptcha”:”https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=loadRecaptcha&render=express”,”recaptcha_ajax”:”https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/js/recaptcha_ajax.js”,”supreme-golf”:”https://sgapps-staging.supremegolf.com/search/property/js/bundle.js”,”taboola”:”https://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/cbsinteractive-cbssports/loader.js”,”twitter”:”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”,”video-avia”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/avia-js/2.41.0/participant/avia.min.js”,”video-avia-ui”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/avia-js/2.41.0/plugins/ui/avia.ui.min.js”,”video-avia-gam”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/avia-js/2.41.0/plugins/gam/avia.gam.min.js”,”video-avia-hls”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/avia-js/2.41.0/plugins/hls/avia.hls.min.js”,”video-avia-playlist”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/avia-js/2.41.0/plugins/playlist/avia.playlist.min.js”,”video-ima3″:”https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3.js”,”video-ima3-dai”:”https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3_dai.js”,”video-utils”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js”,”video-vast-tracking”:”https://sports activities.cbsimg.web/fly/js/sb55/vast-js/vtg-vast-client.js”}},”waitSeconds”:300});
