Naoya Inoue made his long-awaited return to the U.S. and, despite a rare knockdown scare, retained his undisputed junior featherweight crown with an eighth-round stoppage of Ramon Cardenas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) went for the kill early but got caught and floored in the second by a sharp counter left hook. That shock moment forced him to regroup, and from rounds five and six, Inoue broke Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) down with punishing counter shots and sharp angles.
The tide fully turned in the seventh as Inoue rocked Cardenas with a big right and floored him twice before the referee waved it off at 0:45 in the eighth after a final assault.
Inoue admitted, “I was surprised by the knockdown, but I kept calm. After that, I stayed smart and sharp.”
Cardenas, proud in defeat, said, “I gave everything. If I’m going out, it’s on my shield.”
Espinoza Crushes Vazquez, Holds Featherweight Crown
Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) delivered an all-action war, stopping Edward Vazquez (17-3, 4 KOs) in the seventh to defend his WBO featherweight title. Espinoza out-jabbed and outworked Vazquez early but couldn’t resist a firefight mid-fight. By the fifth, Vazquez was exhausted, and Espinoza’s relentless pressure ended matters at 1:17 of round seven.
Espinoza said, “This is what Mexican fans deserve—wars. I’m here to face the best.”
Other Results
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Welterweight: Rohan Polanco (16-0) beat Fabian Maidana (24-4) by unanimous decision, knocking Maidana down late. Scores: 100-89 x3.
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Junior Welterweight: Emiliano Vargas (14-0) demolished Juan Leon (11-3-1) with a KO at 1:40 of round two.
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Featherweight: Mikito Nakano (13-0) dropped Pedro Marquez (16-2) five times and stopped him in round four.
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Junior Middleweight: Art Barrera Jr. (9-0) stopped Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. (6-2-1) in round six.
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Featherweight: Raeese Aleem (22-1) outpointed Rudy Garcia (13-2-1) over 10 rounds. Scores: 98-92, 97-93, 99-91
So much actionn on da card!! 🙌 Polanco looked slickk af wit dem jabzz and Nakano was a MONSTER I mean five times??? Bruhhh someone check Marquez braincells 💀💀💀 #fightnightcrazyyy
Nakano out here collectin souls broo 😂 dudes punch accuracy insane frfr 🚑🚑
“Whyyy all da boxer guyz always say ‘I gived everything’?? Like bro we KNOW you did ur job, stop bein dramatic lmao 😒 but okay Inouee did good after trippin on his face 🤡”
Ugh right? Always talking bout their sheelds n’ glory…it’s like bruh chill u got PAID 😩
It’s just part of da game tho 😂 they all go full gladiator mode for cameraz
“I found this event somewhat predictable in its sequencing of victories. Most notable was the composure Inoue displayed post-knockdown—an exemplary demonstration of ring IQ under duress despite early vulnerability.”
“Dis fight wazs epick!!! 🥊🥊🥊 Espinoza is a fiyaaaa ball🔥 and Vargas? Man KO in round TWO??!! WOWW!! Boxing is baccc babyyy, bout timeeee we get nights liek dis againnnn.”
“Yehh man been waiting for some REAL fights not that influencer junk!! These boys throwin hands foreal no cap 💯”
Inoue is overrated honestly. One flash knockdown and suddenly ppl forget he’s fighting C+ level opponents again. The guy needs to fight real comp like Fulton rematch or even MJ. Stop hyping fluff wins.
INOUY is like, a monster for realzz! 😤 But how he felled down so easy on round to?! Is he gettin soft or sumthin?? Still he beated Cardenaz like boom boom 🥊 but dat knock was scareyy. Need more punch-avoid trainin I think!
Yo Dave he only got hit once bro and then DESTROYED that dude lol 😂 U see the angles? Man be bendin physics or sum.
True dat! He almost look bored after gettin up, like ‘ight time to murder this man now’ 😆