Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue was able to extend his unbeaten record to 30-0 with a win over Ramon Cardenas.
Competing in Las Vegas, ‘The Monster’ was able to defend his undisputed status at super bantamweight.
The win came 11 years after Inoue first became a world champion, proving he remains a dominant force in boxing. As well as making it 30 victories in a row for the fighter, it was Inoue’s 11th consecutive stoppage win.
However, it was not all plain sailing for Inoue, who was knocked down in the bout.
- READ MORE: Naoya Inoue knocked a former world champion out cold with a brutal punch inside the very first round
Naoya Inoue comments on being knocked down by Ramon Cardenas
Cardenas went into his bout with Inoue as a huge underdog as he challenged the dominant champion. However, his record would fall to 26-2, as he was defeated via eighth-round knockout.
Despite being stopped, Cardenas was able to cause the Japanese fighter some trouble. In the second round, Inoue would be put to the canvas by the American.
A counter left hook at the end of the round would put Inoue on the canvas briefly, before returning to his feet. However, Cardenas would not be able to build on his momentum, as Inoue regained control of the bout.
In footage captured by Top Rank Boxing, Inoue gave his thoughts on the surprising moment in the fight.
“I hope people aren’t expecting me to get knocked down like that all the time from now on,” Inoue said. “That knockdown kind of lit a fire in me. It made me realize, I really am a fighter at heart.”
Inoue then added, “Cardenas is very tough. He felt 2-3 times stronger than the Cardenas I watched on video.”
“I could really feel in the ring that he came into this fight putting his entire life on the line.”
Naoya Inoue will take on Murodjon Akhmadaliev in next fight
Questions regarding who Inoue may face next have already been answered, as he will take on Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
The fight was confirmed by Eddie Hearn on X, as Inoue, one of the few undisputed fighters of the four-belt era, will face the 13-1 Uzbek fighter.
The bout is set to take place in September, according to Inoue in his post-fight press conference against Cardenas. “Next? September, MJ.”
Akhmadaliev has won his last two bouts via stoppage against Ricardo Franco and Kevin Gonzalez, as he bounced back from a split decision loss to Marlon Tapales.