Although he was defeated by technical knockout against Naoya Inoue, Ramon Cardenas has raised questions regarding the Japanese boxing sensation`s punching power and its potential effectiveness in higher weight classes.
Inoue, with a record of 30 wins and no losses (27 by knockout), has already claimed titles in four weight divisions. He currently holds the undisputed super-bantamweight championship, successfully defending it for the fourth time against Ramon Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) in their recent fight.
Comparisons are frequently made between `The Monster` Inoue and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion. Fans are eager to see how many more weight classes Inoue can conquer and continue to call for the 32-year-old star to move up to featherweight.
However, during the recent fight, while showcasing many of his impressive attributes, Naoya Inoue also displayed a rare moment of vulnerability. He was dramatically knocked down for only the second time in his career before recovering to stop Cardenas in the eighth round.
Following the bout, Cardenas commented that Naoya Inoue`s power at the 122lb limit wasn`t the primary threat. Instead, he highlighted Inoue`s speed and ability to throw combinations as the more significant challenge.
“It’s not so much the power. I’m not going to say anything bad because I did get stopped but it was more that he was overwhelming, because he throws six, seven, eight punches and I’m like, ‘damn’.”
“He hit me with five punches and then he would keep going! It was never power that got me like ‘oh s**t, I am stunned’ – never. It was always six, seven, eight punches and it was just overwhelming more than anything.”
With hard-hitting contenders like Rafael Espinoza and Nick Ball potentially waiting at 126lbs, Inoue must be cautious. A lapse in concentration that allows opponents to land a significant shot, similar to what Cardenas managed, could potentially put his undefeated record at risk.
Inoue himself may also be evaluating whether his power will be as impactful at featherweight, considering the optimal time to vacate his undisputed super-bantamweight titles and move up.
For the immediate future, Inoue is expected to remain at 122 pounds. Reports suggest he is lined up to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) on September 14 in Tokyo. This upcoming fight may offer further clarity on whether Inoue has reached his peak in the super-bantamweight division.
