Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas picture by Mikey Williams Prime Rank
The Monster returned to American soil for the primary time in nearly 4 years, and he didn’t disappoint.
Naoya Inoue defended his undisputed junior featherweight world championship with an eighth-round TKO in opposition to Ramon Cardenas on Sunday night at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) regarded to complete the evening early however was floored within the second spherical by a counter left hook. He maintained his composure, however with renewed respect for Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs), who remained harmful with counter lefts and proper palms.
By rounds 5 and 6, Inoue started touchdown counter punches cleanly, forcing Cardenas to cowl up whereas Inoue regarded for openings round his guard. Inoue was extra cautious this time, shifting again simply sufficient to keep away from counter left hooks or blocking the occasional overhand proper.
Within the seventh, Cardenas had Inoue on the defensive because the Japanese star absorbed punches along with his gloves. However moments later, Inoue shocked Cardenas with a proper hand earlier than consecutive rights dropped him.
Cardenas returned to his ft, however one other flurry within the following spherical compelled referee Thomas Taylor to halt the competition at :45.
Inoue mentioned. “By watching tonight’s combat, everyone seems to be nicely conscious that I prefer to brawl. I used to be very stunned {on the knockdown}, however I took issues calmly and put myself collectively.”
“Within the first spherical, I felt I had long way. It received unfastened within the second spherical. From then on, I made positive to not take that punch once more.”
“The followers right here had been supportive and nice. And I hope I used to be in a position to entertain them.”
Cardenas mentioned, “I by no means cared about losses. It’s about the very best combating the very best. I dreamed about combating in entrance of hundreds of individuals in Las Vegas. So I got here to provide the whole lot.”
“I advised my coach that if I’m going out, then I’m going to exit on my protect. That’s what I did. I’m not unhappy. However I’m bummed out. It’s what it’s.”
Espinoza Overwhelms Vazquez
Mexican featherweight king Rafael Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) kicked off the Cinco de Mayo celebration by defending his WBO crown with a seventh-round stoppage in opposition to Edward Vazquez (17-3, 4 KOs).
Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) managed the combat early with a stiff jab and swift footwork, however he couldn’t resist combating on the within, going punch for punch with Vazquez in rounds three and 4.
By the fifth, Vazquez was sporting down, and steady uppercuts and punches to the physique ultimately compelled him to retreat in opposition to the ropes. Espinoza compelled the stoppage at 1:17 of the seventh with a nonstop barrage.
“I knew he was an amazing opponent. I knew he would come to combat. And that’s good as a result of it allowed me to indicate extra of my capabilities,” Espinoza mentioned. “That is the type of combat that individuals like to observe. And I prefer it, too. The individuals deserve some of these fights. And, as a Mexican combating on this essential Mexican date, I did it with all of my coronary heart, and I’ll proceed doing so. To ensure that a brand new Mexican idol to be born, I’ll must combat in opposition to the very best. So, I’m right here. I’m the champion. And I’m right here to combat in opposition to the very best.”
Welterweight: Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (16-0, 10 KOs) cruised to a 10-round unanimous choice over Argentine puncher Fabian Maidana (24-4, 18 KOs). Polanco pressed ahead from a shoulder roll stance, forcing Maidana to remain cautious and limiting the motion. Nonetheless, Polanco punctuated the efficiency with a proper uppercut to the photo voltaic plexus that dropped Maidana within the ultimate spherical. Scores: 100-89 3x.
Junior Welterweight: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (14-0, 12 KOs) registered a highlight-reel second-round knockout in opposition to Juan Leon (11-3-1, 2 KOs). Measuring from a relaxed excessive guard, he clipped Leon with counter jabs earlier than dropping him within the opening spherical with a proper hand. Leon recovered, solely to be floored once more with a left uppercut, forcing the referee to finish the competition at 1:40.
Featherweight: Japanese puncher Mikito Nakano (13-0, 12 KOs) dropped Pedro Marquez (16-2, 10 KOs) 5 instances en path to a fourth-round stoppage. After scoring two knockdowns within the second and one within the third, Nakana closed the present by sending Marquez to the canvas twice within the fourth. Time of stoppage: 1:58.
Junior Middleweight: Artwork Barrera Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. (6-2-1, 2 KOs) within the sixth spherical. Guerra pressed ahead early and made Barrera work from the skin, however Barrera discovered his vary by the fifth and landed clear energy photographs almost at will, forcing the referee to step in at 1:15.
Featherweight: Raeese Aleem (22-1, 12 KOs) tallied a 10-round unanimous choice win over Rudy Garcia (13-2-1, 2 KOs). Scores: 98-92, 97-93, and 99-91.
