Naoya Inoue showcased his resilience in an electrifying main event in Las Vegas. He faced Ramon Cardenas, who proved to be a tough opponent. Despite getting knocked down in the second round, Inoue turned the fight around and ended Cardenas’ challenge in the eighth round to retain his undisputed super bantamweight titles.
Inoue started strong, dodging Cardenas’s quick jab in the first round. However, he encountered problems in the second when Cardenas landed a powerful counter left hand, drawing a parallel to a similar moment from the previous year against Luis Nery. Cardenas continued to press, even leading on unofficial scorecards early on.
In round four, Inoue began to gain momentum, shaking Cardenas with his strikes. But Cardenas responded with a sharp counter in the fifth, halting Inoue’s advance. This marked the last significant threat from Cardenas. Inoue took control again, pushing Cardenas hard in the sixth and delivering powerful blows in the seventh. Although Cardenas tried to rally, he was knocked down in the final seconds of that round.
Trainer Joel Diaz encouraged Cardenas after the seventh, but the fight ended in the eighth when Inoue unleashed an unstoppable barrage. It was a thrilling match that gained Cardenas many new fans, paving the way for future opportunities in his career. Meanwhile, Inoue’s ability to get knocked down from that same counter highlights an area for improvement before his upcoming fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
On another notable fight during the weekend, Rafael Espinoza faced Edward Vazquez, showing an impressive display of skill and strength. Espinoza, now 27-0 with 23 KOs, took control and ultimately stopped Vazquez in the seventh round.
Throughout the match, Vazquez, known for his intelligence in the ring, demonstrated a solid plan. He absorbed a lot of punishment but couldn’t match Espinoza’s power. Referee Harvey Dock considered stopping the fight after the fifth round due to the damage Vazquez sustained. Directed into a corner in the seventh, Vazquez faced a fair stoppage when he was unable to respond to Espinoza’s relentless attack.
This weekend illustrated the ongoing excitement in boxing, with fighters continuously pushing boundaries and putting on unforgettable performances. As the sport evolves, fans eagerly anticipate the next set of matches that may shape the future of boxing.
For more insights on boxing statistics and updates, you can explore BoxRec for detailed match histories and stats.
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