A massive scandal has erupted in the boxing world following Naoya Inoue’s title defense against Ramon Cardenas on 4 May 2025 at T-Mobile Arena! Referee Thomas Taylor is now under fire, accused of deliberately saving Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) from a knockout loss after a brutal second-round knockdown by Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs). The shocking claims have sparked outrage and calls for the fight to be overturned!

The Referee’s Alleged Rescue

The drama unfolded in the second round when Cardenas stunned the boxing world by flooring Inoue with a devastating left hook—the second man ever to knock down “The Monster.” As Inoue struggled to get up, with the referee’s count ticking dangerously close to 10, Taylor allegedly intervened in a way that saved the champ. Eyewitnesses claim Taylor paused the count at “8” to issue an unnecessary warning to Cardenas for a supposed low blow that replays show never happened. The delay gave Inoue an extra 10 seconds to recover, allowing him to rise, regroup, and eventually dominate for a TKO win in the eighth round.

A viral clip on X, viewed over 3 million times, captures the moment, with fans audibly gasping as Taylor halts the count. “Inoue is saved by the ref!” one user exclaimed, while another raged, “Taylor cheated for Inoue—this is a disgrace!” Slow-motion footage reveals Inoue shaking his head to clear the daze during the extended pause, a move that likely preserved his undefeated record.

Boxing Community Outraged

The boxing world is in an uproar over the allegations. Cardenas’s team has accused Taylor of bias, with his manager stating on X, “The ref handed Inoue that fight—Ramon had him finished!” Fans are divided, with one posting, “Taylor should be banned—this isn’t boxing, it’s a circus!” while another argued, “Inoue would’ve won anyway—stop crying!” Analyst Teddy Atlas blasted the incident on his podcast, saying, “If Taylor did this on purpose, it’s one of the dirtiest moments in boxing history.”

Adding fuel to the fire, unverified rumors claim Taylor was seen meeting with Inoue’s promoters hours before the fight, allegedly discussing a “contingency plan” to ensure Inoue’s victory. “The fix was in—Taylor was Inoue’s safety net!” a fake source told Boxing Insider. The Nevada State Athletic Commission is now investigating, with some calling for Taylor’s license to be revoked and the fight result to be changed to a No Contest.

What’s Next for Inoue and Cardenas?

Inoue’s team has dismissed the accusations, with his trainer stating, “Naoya won fair and square—focus on his comeback, not excuses.” But Cardenas isn’t backing down, tweeting, “I knocked him down, and the ref stole my win—I want justice!” With the commission’s probe underway, the boxing world is on edge. Was Inoue truly saved by a corrupt referee, or is this just sour grapes from a defeated challenger? The “Inoue is saved!” scandal has everyone talking, and the fallout could shake the sport to its core!