There are boxing stars, and then there’s Naoya Inoue. Truly in a class of his own, this Japanese boxer leaves no ticket-buyer unsatisfied with his sensational combination of speed and punching power—26 of his 29 wins come by way of knockout. He’s held multiple world championships in four weight classes, and he’s ready to defend his super bantamweight title for the fourth time this week in Las Vegas.
Nicknamed “The Monster,” Inoue is an undisputed champion in two weight classes (the first fighter to accomplish that feat in the “four-belt era”), and has become one of Japan’s most decorated and popular athletes. Sportico has him listed among the highest-paid athletes in the world (the sixth highest-paid boxer on the list). His opponent, Ramon Cardenas, nicknamed “Dinamita,” is no slouch himself, compiling a 26-1 record with 14 knockouts.
The tale of the tape suggests an intriguing matchup. Inoue’s first bout was in 2012, Cardenas’s in 2015. In both fights, victory was secured by knockout. Both fighters stand 5-foot-5, and Cardenas is slightly younger—he’s 29 and Inoue is 32. Cardenas is ranked as the No. 9 super bantamweight by The Ring, while Inoue is The Ring’s current No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter.
While Cardenas has not yet fought in Las Vegas, it will be Inoue’s third bout here. Expect a sold-out crowd to witness what is sure to be boxing history.
T-Mobile Arena, 3:10 p.m. May 4, starting at $156 plus tax and fee. axs.com
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