In a fight that had boxing fans divided and social media ablaze, Ramon Cardenas didn’t hold back his thoughts after suffering a highly controversial loss to Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue last night. Moments after the final bell, Cardenas spoke to reporters backstage, visibly upset and bruised but defiant: “He has no power!”
The bout, held in front of a roaring crowd at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, ended in a unanimous decision victory for Inoue. But Cardenas – known for his grit, high-volume punching, and unshakable confidence – disagreed strongly with both the scorecards and the hype surrounding his undefeated opponent.
A Questionable Decision?
Cardenas came into the fight as the clear underdog. Inoue, dubbed “The Monster,” was expected to cruise to victory. However, from the opening round, it was clear that Cardenas didn’t come to play defense. He pushed the pace, cornered Inoue multiple times, and landed clean body shots that slowed the Japanese fighter in the middle rounds.
Despite a few moments where Inoue showed his trademark sharp counters, many fans and analysts saw the fight as much closer than the official scores indicated. One judge gave all twelve rounds to Inoue – a call that was met with audible boos even from some Japanese spectators.
“I took the fight to him. I landed the harder shots, and I made him uncomfortable,” Cardenas told reporters after the fight. “He didn’t hurt me once. Everyone says he’s a monster, but tonight he looked like a kitten.”
The “No Power” Remark
Cardenas’ post-fight comments quickly sparked debate online, particularly his claim that Inoue “has no power.” Known for his knockout streak and devastating body shots, Inoue has built a reputation as one of the most feared punchers in boxing. But Cardenas painted a different picture.
“I’ve been hit by real punchers,” he said. “Guys who make you feel it in your soul. Inoue? Fast, sure. But his punches didn’t do anything to me. I walked through them. If he had real power, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
While some fans labeled the comments as bitter, others saw them as a fighter’s honest reaction in the heat of the moment.
Inoue Responds Calmly
In his post-fight press conference, Inoue addressed Cardenas’ remarks with calm professionalism.
“Everyone has their opinion,” Inoue said through a translator. “I respect Cardenas. He is tough. But I believe my performance spoke for itself. I did what I had to do, and the judges agreed.”
He added, “If he thinks I have no power, he should watch the tape again.”
What’s Next for Cardenas?
Despite the loss, Cardenas’ stock may have actually risen. He went toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s elite and walked away with minimal damage. Promoters are already speculating about potential rematches or matchups with other top contenders in the division.
“I’m not done,” Cardenas said. “This just adds fuel to the fire. If Inoue wants to do it again on neutral ground, I’m ready. Let’s see who really has power when the playing field is level.”
Fan Reaction
The boxing world remains divided. While many still hail Inoue as a generational talent, a vocal segment of fans now believe Cardenas may have exposed weaknesses in his armor.
“Cardenas just became a fan favorite overnight,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He fought like a warrior and said what a lot of us were thinking.”
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Ramon Cardenas made his mark. And whether or not his words were fair, they’ve reignited interest in a division that needed a spark.
