This Cinco de Mayo weekend is loaded with essential boxing matches. Closing out the weekend’s matches is the very first look in The United States and Canada considering that 2021 of among the very best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, Naoya Inoue. On Sunday, Might 4, Inoue puts his undeniable junior featherweight champion on the line versus Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas. Below is a take a look at the undercard for the Inoue Vs. Cardenas boxing occasion.
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Centerpiece
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas for Inoue’s undeniable junior featherweight champion
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Undercard
Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez for Espinoza’s WBO featherweight title
Rohan Polanco vs. Fabian Maidana for Polanco’s WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Juan Leon for the uninhabited Jr. NABF Junior Welterweight Title
Mikito Nakano vs. Pedro Marquez: Featherweight
Art Barrera Jr. vs. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr: Junior middleweight
Raeese Aleem vs. Rudy Garcia: Featherweight
Patrick O’Connor vs. Marcus Smith: Cruiserweight
Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez
Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (26-0 with 22 knockouts) was 23-0 when he entered the ring versus Robeisy Ramirez in December 2023. Espinoza was a +650 improving underdog to the Ramirez, who brought the WBO featherweight title with him into the ring thaRafael “El Divino” Espinoza (26-0 with 22 knockouts) was 23-0 when he entered the ring versus Robeisy Ramirez in December 2023. Espinoza was a +650 improving underdog to Ramirez, who brought the WBO featherweight title with him into the ring that night. The champ was an enormous -1687 wagering preferred. When the battle ended, Ramirez’s title reign was over, with Espinoza scoring a bulk choice win.
Espinoza protected his crown in June 2024 with a fourth-round TKO win over Sergio Chirino Sanchez.
In his latest getaway, Espinoza dealt with Ramirez in a rematch. The wagering chances were much more detailed for the 2nd go-round, with Ramirez at -138 and Espinoza being available in at -106. The rematch ended 6 rounds into the battle, with Ramirez raising his hand 12 seconds into that round to wave off the battle. Ramirez had actually soaked up a right-hand man to the eye before he stopped combating and later on declared he might not see out of his best eye.
Espinoza has actually not battled considering that his win over Ramirez. He is the No. 2 ranked fighter in the ESPN featherweight rankings.
Edward Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs) was 11-0 before losing a questionable split choice to Raymond Ford in February 2022. He recovered from his very first profession obstacle with 4 wins. Vasquez then stepped up to junior light-weight to deal with IBF champ Joe Cordina in November 2023, losing a bulk choice to the champ. In his latest getaway, Vazquez downed Kenneth Taylor in 4 rounds in October 2024.
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Battle Card Date:
Sunday, Might 4
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Battle Card Time:
6:15 p.m. ET
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Battle Card Place:
T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas Battle Card How To See Or Stream
ESPN+
Rafael Espinoza On Edward Vazquez
” I’m enjoyed go back to the ring, specifically in the city where I constantly imagined combating, Las Vegas. Battling at T-Mobile Arena is likewise a dream come to life, which includes a lot more enjoyment for me. Edward Vazquez is a difficult fighter who wishes to take what’s mine. However I’m ready to reveal him that I’m here to remain as a champ. I can not await May 4 to declare that as soon as again.”
Edward Vazquez On Rafael Espinoza
” May 4 can’t get here quickly enough. I began boxing at 8 years of ages and have actually been a pro for over 9 years. Absolutely nothing has actually ever been handed to me. I made this chance. Espinoza is a wonderful fighter and a deserving champ, however he has actually never ever entered the ring with somebody like ‘Kid’ Vazquez.”
Bob Arum On Rafael Espinoza Vs. Edward Vazquez
” Rafael Espinoza is an imposing featherweight with the power and abilities to be a world champ for several years to come, and we’re thrilled to display him on such a significant weekend for Mexican boxing. Edward Vazquez is a difficult, figured out opposition who understands this is his shot to alter whatever. Fans at T-Mobile Arena remain in for a reward as Espinoza shares the spotlight with the matchless Naoya Inoue on this historical Cinco de Mayo card.”
Naoya Inoue Vs. Ramon Cardenas
Japan’s Naoya Inoue commemorates his success versus South Korea’s Kim Ye-joon throughout their world … More
Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) won his very first significant title in April 2014 when he knocked out Adrián Hernández to declare the WBC light flyweight title. Ever since, the 32-year-old has just entered the boxing ring when a title is on the line. He is unbeaten in those title battles, acquiring a 24-0 record with 22 knockouts in those title battles.
Over his profession, Inoue won and protected the WBO junior bantamweight title 7 times before relocating to bantamweight for 9 bouts. Throughout that run from Might 2018 to December 2022, Inoue won the WBA, IBF, and WBC titles. In his last battle at bantamweight, Inoue knocked out Paul Butler to win the WBO bantamweight crown and make undeniable champ status in the 118-pound department.
In July 2023, Inoue went up to junior featherweight, declaring the WBC and WBO belts in his very first battle in his brand-new weight department. He achieved that task by making an eighth-round TKO over Stephen Fulton. Then, in December 2023, he ended up being the undeniable 122-pound champ with a 10th-round knockout win over Marlon Tapales.
Given that his win over Tapales, Inoue has actually protected his title 3 more times, beating Luis Nery, TJ Doheny, and most just recently, Kim Ye-joon by knockout.
The guy called “The Beast” is the No. 2 ranked fighter in the ESPN boxing rankings.
Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) has his work cut out for him on Might 3. The 29-year-old enter the spotlight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas having never ever contended for a world title.
Cardenas is the No. 9 ranked junior featherweight, according to ESPN. He is riding a 14-fight winning streak heading into the approaching battle card, with 7 of those wins coming over knockout.
In his latest journey to the ring, Cardenas beat Bryan Acosta by consentaneous choice. The loss was the very first of Acosta’s expert profession.
We will have more on the Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas battle card and the Inoue vs. Cardenas undercard as battle night techniques, consisting of chances, choices, forecasts and more.
Source: Forbes.