WBC Special Preview: Inoue vs Cardenas
WBC STATISTICS
WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship
May 4, 2025 / Las Vegas, Nevada / T-Mobile Arena
TOP RANK, TEIKEN, and OHASHI PROMOTION PRESENT:
NAOYA “Monster” INOUE (Japan)
· WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion, 5th defense
· IBF, WBA, and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion
· Former WBC Bantamweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense
· Former WBC Light Flyweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense
Age: 32 / Date of birth: April 10, 1993
Residence, birthplace: Zama, Kanagawa, Japan
Record: 29-0, 26 KOs / Total rounds: 173 / World championship fights: 23-0, 21 KOs
Height: 5’5” – 165cm / Reach: 67.5” – 171cm / Stance: Right-handed
Manager: Sayuri Ohashi / Trainer: Shingo Inoue
RAMON “Dinamita” CARDENAS (USA)
· Ranked WBC No. 19 at Super Bantamweight
· Former Central American Boxing Federation bantamweight champion
Age: 29 / Date of birth: November 7, 1995
Residence, birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Record: 26-1, 14 KOs / Total rounds: 135
Height: 5’6” – 168cm / Reach: 67” – 170cm / Stance: Right-handed
Manager: Michael Miller / Trainer: Joel Diaz
WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS
1. Rigoberto Riasco (Panama) 1976
2. Royal Kobayashi (Japan) 1976
3. Dong-Kyun Yum (Korea) 1976 – 1977
4. Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico) 1977 – 1982
5. Jaime Garza (USA) 1983 – 1984
6. Juan Meza (USA) 1984 – 1985
7. Lupe Pintor (Mexico) 1985 – 1986
8. Samart Payakaroon (Thailand) 1986 – 1987
9. Jeff Fenech (Australia) 1987 – 1988
10. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) 1988 – 1990
11. Paul Banke (USA) 1990
12. Pedro Decima (Argentina) 1990 – 1991
13. Kiyoshi Hatanaka (Japan) 1991
14. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) * 1991 – 1992
15. Thierry Jacob (France) 1992
16. Tracy Patterson (USA) 1992 – 1994
17. Hector Acero-Sanchez (Dominican Republic) 1994 – 1995
18. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) * 1995 – 1997
19. Erik Morales (Mexico) 1997 – 2000
20. Willie Jorrin (USA) 2000 – 2002
21. Oscar Larios (Mexico) 2002 – 2005
22. Israel Vazquez (Mexico) 2005 – 2007
23. Rafael Marquez (Mexico) 2007
24. Israel Vazquez (Mexico) * 2007 – 2008
25. Toshiaki Nishioka (Japan) 2008 – 2012
26. Abner Mares (Mexico) 2012 – 2013
27. Victor Terrazas (Mexico) 2013
28. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico) 2013 – 2015
29. Julio Ceja (Mexico) 2015 – 2016
30. Hugo Ruiz (Mexico) 2016
31. Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) 2016
32. Rey Vargas (Mexico) 2017 – 2020
33. Tomoki Kameda (Japan) Interim 2018
34. Luis Nery (Mexico) 2020 – 2021
35. Brandon Figueroa (USA) 2021
36. Stephen Fulton Jr. (USA) 2021 – 2023
37. Naoya Iinoue (Japan) 2023 –
* Regained title
WBC TOP 10 SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONS
1. Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico)
2. Erik Morales (Mexico)
3. Jeff Fenech (Australia)
4. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico)
5. Israel Vazquez (Mexico)
6. Abner Mares (Mexico)
7. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico)
8. Tracy Patterson (US)
9. Oscar Larios (Mexico)
10. Royal Kobayashi (Japan)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY:
34 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only two have regained the title: Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) two times, Israel Vazquez (Mexico).
120 WBC super bantamweight world title bouts have been held in WBC history.
Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico) holds the record for super bantamweight world title defenses with 17.
Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) made 14 title defenses in three periods as champion.
Oscar Larios (Mexico) made 10 title defenses.
MEMORABLE WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS
Jan. 24, 2025 Naoya Inoue TKO4 Ye Joon Kim – Tokyo, Japan
Sept. 3, 2024 Naoya Inoue TKO7 T.J. Doheny – Tokyo, Japan
May 6, 2024 Naoya Inoue TKO6 Luis Nery – Tokyo, Japan
Dec. 26, 2023 Naoya Inoue KO10 Marlon Tapales – Tokyo, Japan
July 25, 2023 Naoya Inoue TKO8 Stephen Fulton – Tokyo, Japan
June 4, 2022 Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Danny Roman – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nov. 27, 2021 Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Brandon Figueroa – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 15, 2021 Brandon Figueroa KO7 Luis Nery – Carson, California
Sep. 26, 2020 Luis Nery W12 Aaron Alameda – Uncasville, Connecticut
Feb. 25, 2017 Rey Vargas W12 Gavin McDonnell – Hull, England
Sep. 16, 2016 Hozumi Hasegawa TKO9 Hugo Ruiz – Osaka, Japan
Feb. 27, 2016 Hugo Ruiz TKO1 Julio Ceja – Anaheim, California
Aug. 29, 2015 Julio Ceja TKO5 Hugo Ruiz – Los Angeles, California
Aug. 24, 2013 Leo Santa Cruz KO3 Victor Terrazas – Carson, California
Nov. 10, 2012 Abner Mares W12 Anselmo Moreno – Los Angeles, California
May 23, 2009 Toshiaki Nishioka TKO3 Jhonny Gonzalez – Monterrey, Mexico
Mar. 1, 2008 Israel Vazquez W12 Rafael Marquez – Carson, California
Aug. 4, 2007 Israel Vazquez TKO6 Rafael Marquez – Hidalgo, Texas
Mar. 3, 2007 Rafael Marquez TKO7 Israel Vazquez – Carson, California
Dec. 3, 2005 Israel Vazquez TKO3 Oscar Larios – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 17, 2002 Oscar Larios TKO12 Israel Vazquez – Sacramento, California
Feb. 19, 2000 Erik Morales W12 Marco Antonio Barrera – Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep. 6, 1996 Erik Morales KO11 Daniel Zaragoza – El Paso, Texas
Nov. 6, 1995 Daniel Zaragoza W12 Hector Acero-Sanchez – Inglewood, California
Aug. 26, 1994 Hector Acero-Sanchez W12 Tracy Harris Patterson – Atlantic City
June 23, 1992 Tracy Harris Patterson TKO2 Thierry Jacob – Albany, New York
Mar. 20, 1992 Thierry Jacob W12 Daniel Zaragoza – Calais, France
Feb. 29, 1988 Daniel Zaragoza TKO10 Carlos Zarate – Inglewood, California
May 8, 1987 Jeff Fenech KO4 Samart Payakaroon – Sydney, Australia
Jan. 18, 1986 Samart Payakaroon KO5 Lupe Pintor – Bangkok, Thailand
Aug. 18, 1985 Lupe Pintor W12 Juan Meza – Mexico City, Mexico
Nov. 3, 1984 Juan Meza KO1 Jaime Garza – Kingston, New York
June 15, 1983 Jaime Garza TKO2 Bobby Berna – Los Angeles, California
Dec. 3, 1982 Wilfredo Gomez TKO14 Lupe Pintor – New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct. 28, 1978 Wilfredo Gomez TKO5 Carlos Zarate – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jan. 19, 1978 Wilfredo Gomez KO3 Royal Kobayashi – Kitakyushu, Japan
Oct. 9, 1976 Royal Kobayashi KO8 Rigoberto Riasco – Tokyo, Japan
Apr. 3, 1976 Rigoberto Riasco TKO9 Waruinge Nakayama – Panama City, Panama
Will dinamite shift The Monster?
By James Blears
Undefeated, Undisputed, Indefatigable super-bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue is being enticed back to the United States, to defend his crowns against The Pride of San Antonio Ramon ‘’Dinamita’’ Cardenas on May 4th, at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It`s a daunting yet intriguing challenge for Ramon. In world title fights, Naoya`s record is 29-0 with 26 KO`s, which began way back in April 2014 with the sixth round TKO of Adrian ‘’Confesor’’ Hernandez for the WBC light- flyweight title. His most recent ten fights have all ended via stoppage. His KO ratio is 89.66 percent. During his career he`s only fought a scant 173 rounds. He`s won world titles in four weight divisions being undisputed in two. Only Ryoichi Taguchi, David Carmona and Nonito Donaire first time around, have lasted the full distance with him, each losing a buffeting and bruising UD.
But this degree of difficulty and the glittering prize temptingly on an elevated temporal pedestal, is exactly what attracts, inspires, motivates and captivates Ramon 26-1, 14 KO`s, whose stoppage rate is 54 percent. Ramon who has fought 135 pro rounds says: ‘’I never had any doubt. I always knew our paths would cross one day. So, when the fight was offered, I instantly accepted. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. To get the chance to fight for all the belts is a dream come true. I`m this close to changing my life.’’
Accordingly, and with alacrity Naoya who holds each and every opponent in great esteem, curtly nods and calmly responds: ‘’Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation.
‘
’I`m thankful to the fans in America, who have followed my career. Fighting at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight.’’
In that career, Naoya has only fought three times in the United States and once in Glasgow Scotland. The most recent time he was on US soil June 19th 2021, at the Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, he dispatched Michael Dasmarinas via third round KO. It was brief, efficient and clinical.
The reason he`s coming to the United States now, is to display his brilliant and ruthless punctuating skills, in the build up to a mega-fight with also undefeated compatriot Junto ‘’Big Bang’’ Nakatani, who is the WBC bantamweight champion, and three weight division Supremo. A southpaw dispatcher.
With this very much in mind, Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum who`s been promoting Boxing for sixty years and seen it all… says: ‘’Naoya Inoue is among the most powerful and well- rounded fighters I`ve had the privilege of promoting. A singular talent.’’
Ramon relishes being a potential pebble in Naoya`s shoe and is hellbent on derailing the momentum of that masterplan route. To achieve it, he would have to heed the observation of German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who wrote: ‘’He who fights with monsters, should see to it that in the process, he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into the abyss, then the abyss will gaze back into you.’’
To win, Ramon will have to fight fire with fire and descend into the abyss as far as the gates of hell, but no further, for one helluva fight. The fight of his life. Like Beowulf, he`ll have to come to grips with Grendel.
Aged twenty-nine, he is three years younger than Naoya. He has lost once. That was a MD defeat to Danny ‘’Venado’’ Flores on April 25th 2017. Unluckily, it was his thirteenth pro fight. He won his most recent fight by UD, on February 8th, against previously undefeated Bryan ‘’Latino’’ Acosta, but was briefly dropped by a counter left hook to the head, admitting that it was a momentary lapse of concentration in the flash of an eye, ruefully recalling: ‘’You flash your eyes and you`re on the floor. It just showed me not to get lazy, not to get reckless. To keep my left hand up.’’
Needless to say, that any such error against the ever watchful, vigilant and always alert Naoya, would be instantly exploited and castigated to the fullest. It would be Ramon`s first and his last mistake.
Previous to this victory, punctuated with a hiccup, Ramon KO`d Jesus Ramirez Rubio in round nine, for the WBA Continental North America super-bantamweight belt. Ramon knows that he`s venturing into deep water for this fight against Naoya, where his feet won`t touch the ground. It`s sink or swim time. It`s in a whole different stratosphere. A maelstrom within a swirling riptide.
To win, Ramon must take any chance early. Luis Nery dropped Naoya in round one with a peach of a left hook which visibly shook him up, but wasn`t able to capitalize upon it and three knockdowns later, he was stopped in six. An aging but still brilliant and audacious Nonito Donaire broke Naoya`s nose, fractured his right orbital bone and sliced open his right eyebrow with one monumental left hook in round two, but wasn`t able to follow on and in round eleven a left hook to the liver dropped him. He bravely and resourcefully made it to the final bell, but then in the rematch Naoya swiftly KO`d him in two rounds.
The longer the fight goes on, the more body shots from Naoya will sink in, absorb, take effect and take their toll on Ramon. His best chance will be initiating a firefight early on, before Naoya warms up, warms to his task and settles into a well-worn groove. Ramon`s best punch is his left hook and Naoya has twice been vulnerable to this. It shows he is indeed human and as such he is fallible, but it also clearly demonstrates that he can and he does adapt to and overcome adversity. To defeat Naoya, Ramon must do something that twenty-nine other opponents haven`t managed to achieve. Two got close, but so near yet so far. He`ll have to risk everything. go for broke and be prepared to follow up.
Naoya perpetually aims for glory by striving for perfection, insisting: ‘’Power isn`t enough. Precision is the true game-changer. Sacrifice today for a glorious tomorrow.
‘The Monster doesn`t sleep. It dreams of dominance.’’
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