Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas: Live round-by-round updates
The Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas round-by-round updates have arrived. It provides fans with real-time coverage and play-by-play analysis for the upcoming undisputed super bantamweight title fight. The bout, which is set in Las Vegas, is Inoue's first outside of Japan since 2021.
For Cardenas, though, it is the opportunity of a lifetime. He enters the bout with a 26-1 record and will enjoy a home-field advantage against 'The Monster.' Unfortunately for him, he faces more than a tall order in the form of Inoue, who is undefeated at 29-0.
Not only is Inoue unbeaten, he is the reigning undisputed super bantamweight champion, with 26 knockouts to his name. No one expects him to lose, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him as a jaw-dropping -5000 favorite. Meanwhile, Cardenas is a +1500 underdog.
The two-fight main card is set to start at 10:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 7:00 PM P.T. (Pacific Time) on May 4. However, the main event is expected to start at around 11:30 PM E.T. / 8:30 PM P.T.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the super bantamweight title fight.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas
Round 1: Cardenas applying early pressure, but they soon return to the sooner. Jabs from both men, but Inoue responds with a combination that's largely blocked. Inoue with jabs and a one-two. However, Cardenas responds in kind, splitting Inoue's guard. Both men jabbing with each other.
Inoue dipping for a body jab. Cardenas is trying to time Inoue with a left hook over the top of 'The Monster's' patented right hand. For now, though, Inoue sticks to his jab. A stiff one-two lands for Inoue toward the end.
Our Score: 10-9 Inoue
Round 2: A jab from Inoue starts off the round. Cardenas lands a decent right hand. Combinations from Inoue, but Cardenas works him with an uppercut. Body shots from Inoue, who is punishing Cardenas for his high guard, but Cardenas does exactly the same to him.
Both men land their jabs. A slick combination from Inoue blasts Cardenas' midsection, before a left hook catches him upstairs. Body jab from Inoue. Cardenas pressuring him, landing a decent one-two, but Inoue returns the favor. One-two from Inoue.
BIG LEFT HAND FROM CARDENAS DROPS INOUE!
Our Score: 10-8 Cardenas, 19-18 Cardenas overall
Round 3: A three-punch combination from Inoue lands entirely on the gloves. An accidental clash of heads draws a warning from the referee. The fight resumes and Inoue jabs. Body shots from Inoue, with Cardenas swinging for another left hook that barely misses.
Jabs from Inoue, but he isn't finding Cardenas' chin. He's struggling with his opponent's high guard. Cardenas with a body shot. Combination from Cardenas, finishing up with a left hand. Inoue with a good right hand. Uppercut to the body from Inoue. Both men landing big.
Our Score: 10-9 Cardenas, 29-27 Cardenas overall
Round 4: Heavy pressure from Cardenas, but Inoue wards it off with a right hand. A two-punch combination from Inoue finds the gloves. A sneaky left hand from Cardenas lands. Jabs from both men, with Inoue landing his left hand. More jabs from 'The Monster,' who follows up with a one-two.
Inoue with a good combination, but most of it lands on the gloves. A double left hand from Inoue to the body and head. A big counter from Inoue makes Cardenas for overswinging. Inoue with a big right hand, backing Cardenas up. Inoue is turning it up, blasting Cardenas with combinations.
This is Inoue's best round thus far.
Our Score: 10-9 Inoue, 38-37 Cardenas overall
Round 5: Jabs from Inoue, followed by a one-two. Counter-right hand from Inoue. Inoue has adjusted to Cardenas' counter-left hook. He's now pausing mid-combination to draw it out to counter it himself. He backs Cardenas up to the ropes, intercepting a level change with an uppercut.
Double jab from Inoue lands. Cardenas with a slick slip-counter. Inoue with a jab. A hard left hook to the body lands for Cardenas. Combinations for Inoue. Body shots from both men.
Our Score: 10-9 Inoue, 47-47 overall
Round 6: A jab from Cardenas leads to an uppercut from Inoue. Stiff jabs from Cardenas find the mark. Cardenas with a body shot. Inoue with a combination, HE HAS CARDENAS HURT. Body shot from Inoue hurt Cardenas again. Inoue still has plenty of time to work.
Uppercut for Inoue, but Cardenas is swinging back. Body shots from Inoue, who follows up with more combinations. He's absolutely battering Cardenas against the ropes, but Cardenas refuses to go down.
Our Score: 10-9 Inoue, 57-56 Inoue overall
Round 7: Inoue immediately on the front foot, trying to overwhelm Cardenas with output. Cardenas hasn't been able to land his left hook. Inoue has fully adjusted to it, and is blasting Cardenas with combinations. A short left hook lands for Inoue. A big one-two lands for Inoue.
A body shot from Inoue appears to have hurt Cardenas. An Inoue left hook hurts Cardenas. But Cardenas fights back, digging to the body with his own left hooks. Both men land upstairs, but Inoue sends Cardenas reeling with a right hand. BIG RIGHT HAND FROM INOUE DROPS CARDENAS!
Inoue pounces with a combination, but Cardenas survives.
Our Score: 10-8 Inoue, 67-64 Inoue overall
Round 8: Cardenas' corner warned him that he has one more round to show them he can win before they wave the fight off. Inoue starts the round with a jab. Cardenas swings wild, but he's failing to land clean now. Inoue has superior fight IQ and is battering him with a body shot.
INOUE HAS HIM HURT! The referee waves it off.
Official Result
Naoya Inoue def. Ramon Cardenas via TKO in round 8 (0:45)