Naoya Inoue avoids disaster, stops Ramon Cardenas in thriller - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — «The Monster» saved what had been an underwhelming boxing weekend. But he had to overcome adversity to do so Sunday night.

Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) recovered from a second-round knockdown and put on a punishing offensive display to stop an incredibly tough Ramon Cardenas (26-2) with an eighth-round TKO to defend his undisputed super bantamweight championship at T-Mobile Arena.

After some of boxing's biggest names (Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney) failed to impress Friday and Saturday, Inoue, who returned to the United States for the first time since 2021, punctuated a thrilling showdown that featured the Japanese superstar avoiding a disastrous outcome in a memorable performance.

Heading into Sunday night, Inoue proved to be a force in boxing since his professional debut in 2012. He has plowed through four weight classes, becoming one of three undisputed fighters in two divisions in the «four-belt era.» Known for his exceptional punching power, Inoue has been a devastating force, with 90% of his wins coming by knockout. But Cardenas didn't shrink under the shadow of «The Monster.»

As the heavy-handed Inoue began to increase his activity in the second round, he was hit with a counter left hook by Cardenas that dropped Inoue to the canvas. He was fortunate the knockdown occurred near the end of the round, as he went to his corner on shaky legs. But Inoue regained his composure and went to work, using a stiff jab to set up a body assault that took some steam out of Cardenas' punches.

«By watching tonight's fight, everyone is well aware that I like to brawl,» Inoue said. «I was very surprised [at the knockdown], but I took things calmly and put myself together.… In the first round, I felt I had good