Naoya Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight champion, has sent shockwaves through the boxing world by demanding an immediate rematch with Ramon Cardenas just days after surviving a dramatic scare in their recent clash on May 4 at T-Mobile Arena. The Japanese “Monster,” who retained his titles with an eighth-round TKO, admitted that the fight left him questioning his invincibility, and now he’s determined to prove he can dominate Cardenas without the early stumble that nearly cost him everything.
A Fight That Shook Inoue to His Core
Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) faced one of the toughest challenges of his career when Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs) floored him with a devastating left hook in the second round—the second knockdown of Inoue’s career. Though he rallied to stop Cardenas in the eighth, the fight was a wake-up call for the pound-for-pound star. “I wasn’t myself that night,” Inoue confessed at a press conference on May 7, his voice uncharacteristically tense. “Cardenas showed me I’m not untouchable. I need to face him again—immediately—to prove I’m still the best.” The announcement stunned the 8,474 fans who witnessed the thriller, as well as the global audience on ESPN, who expected Inoue to move on to his scheduled September fight with Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
The fight itself was a rollercoaster. After the early knockdown, Inoue turned the tide with a seventh-round knockdown of his own, courtesy of a series of straight right hands, before finishing Cardenas with a barrage of punches in the eighth. CompuBox stats showed Inoue landing 176 of 462 punches, but Cardenas’ resilience—landing 80 of 290 shots despite being a +1700 underdog—left a lasting impression. Cardenas’ promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, revealed that Inoue’s team had already expressed interest in bringing Cardenas to Japan, but few anticipated Inoue would push for a rematch so soon.
The Boxing World Reacts
Inoue’s demand has sparked fierce debate. Fans on social media are divided, with some praising his warrior spirit—one X post read, “Inoue’s a true champion for wanting to erase that scare!”—while others question his confidence, with another user stating, “He’s rattled. Cardenas got in his head.” Analysts are equally split. ESPN’s Timothy Bradley Jr., who previously called Inoue’s comeback “terrifying,” warned that rushing into a rematch could backfire. “Inoue’s showing cracks—another fight with Cardenas so soon might expose him further,” Bradley noted.
Cardenas, for his part, welcomed the challenge. “I made him taste the canvas once—I’ll do it again,” he told BoxingScene on May 6, hinting at his readiness to face Inoue in Japan. However, concerns linger about Inoue’s condition. Some reports suggest the punishing nature of the fight may have jeopardized his planned September bout, raising questions about whether Inoue is risking too much by prioritizing revenge over recovery.
What’s Next for “The Monster”?
Inoue’s co-promoter, Bob Arum, confirmed that discussions for a rematch are underway, potentially as early as August 2025, though no venue has been finalized. “Naoya wants this fight, and we’ll make it happen,” Arum said. Meanwhile, the boxing world watches with bated breath. Will Inoue reclaim his aura of invincibility, or has Cardenas uncovered a blueprint to dethrone “The Monster”? One thing is certain: Inoue’s shocking call for an immediate rematch has set the stage for another explosive chapter in his storied career.
