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Japanese star Naoya Inoue will fight stateside for first time in three years with a May 4 undisputed junior featherweight championship defense against Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas, it was announced Wednesday.
Inoue, ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer, last competed in the U.S. in June 2021 when he stopped fringe contender Michael Dasmarinas in Round 3. Since then, Inoue, 31, has stepped inside the ring eight times, all in Japan.
“The Monster” went on to capture all four titles at 118 and 122 pounds, where he is currently ranked No. 1 by ESPN. Cardenas is the No. 10-ranked junior featherweight.
“I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career,” Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) said in a statement. “Fighting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight, and I look forward to putting on a great show for everyone in attendance. Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation.”
Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs), a 29-year-old native of San Antonio, will be installed as a heavy underdog in his first world title shot.
“This means the world to me,” he said. “I’ve always aspired to fight for a world title, but to get a chance to fight for all the belts is a dream come true. I always knew our paths would cross. I never had any doubts.
“When the fight was offered, I instantly accepted. I wouldn’t say it’s a lottery ticket, but you can’t turn it down if you get a chance at the undisputed title. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The rare Sunday title fight caps a stacked boxing weekend that begins Friday, May 2, in New York City’s Times Square with Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez in separate bouts and continues Saturday evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Canelo Alvarez-William Scull.