Floyd Mayweather EXPOSES Inoue vs. Cardenas – The truth about the controversial Ramón fight
Legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather has spoken, and his words have rocked the boxing world as he exposed what he calls “the truth” behind the controversial fight between Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena. In an explosive interview with ESPN Deportes on Tuesday night, Mayweather claimed that Inoue received unfair help in surviving a second-round knockdown, declaring, “That knockdown was the end for Inoue, but they saved him! Cardenas got robbed.”
Mayweather’s Explosive Accusation
Mayweather, who attended the event in Las Vegas, was quick to point out what he perceived as an unfairness in the fight for the undisputed super bantamweight title. “Look, I know what it’s like to fight under pressure—I’ve done it 50 times without losing,” Mayweather said. “When Cardenas knocked him down in the second round with that left hook, Inoue was out. His legs weren’t responding, and referee Thomas Taylor gave him too much time to recover. That’s not fair boxing! Cardenas should have been crowned that night.” According to Mayweather, the handling of the knockdown allowed Inoue to regroup and eventually stop Cardenas in the eighth round, a result he considers rigged.
The incident Mayweather is referring to occurred when Cardenas, an underdog with +1500 odds, landed a left hook that sent Inoue to the floor in the second round, marking only the second time the Japanese boxer has been knocked down in his career. Although Inoue got up and continued, many in the boxing community, including those on social media, have debated whether the referee allowed excessive recovery time, which could have turned the tide of the fight. Cardenas, who showed heart by staying in the fight, was ultimately stopped in the eighth round after a barrage of punches from Inoue, who retained his titles.
A Fight Under Scrutiny
The fight had already generated controversy, with some fans and analysts questioning whether Inoue received preferential treatment as the undisputed champion. Cardenas, who had won 14 consecutive fights before facing Inoue, had a courageous performance, and his second-round knockdown was a moment that sent the 8,474 crowd at T-Mobile Arena into a frenzy. However, Mayweather goes further, suggesting there was a deliberate effort to protect Inoue, a rising star in world boxing. “Inoue is a great fighter, but you can’t protect someone like that in a sport like this,” Mayweather added. “If you can’t get up and fight, you don’t deserve to win.”
The boxing community is divided. Some support Mayweather’s perspective, pointing out that Cardenas showed enough resilience to deserve a fair chance to capitalize on his momentum. Others argue that Inoue proved his greatness by getting up and dominating the later rounds, with CompuBox statistics showing he landed 176 of 462 punches, while Cardenas landed only 80 of 290. However, Mayweather’s words have reignited the debate over fairness in elite boxing.
What’s Next for Cardenas and Inoue?
Mayweather’s statements could have a lasting impact. Cardenas, now 26-2, has gained new followers for his courage, with some calling for a rematch to correct what they see as an injustice. Meanwhile, Inoue, who improved his record to 30-0 with 27 KOs, is scheduled to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September, but the controversy could push for a reconsideration of plans. With Mayweather shedding light on what he calls “the truth,” the Inoue-Cardenas fight will remain a hot topic in boxing, leaving fans wondering if justice was truly served in the ring.
