Inoue vs. Cardenas: Another Mismatch? ‘The Monster’ Faces Backlash for Perceived Easy Path to Stardom

Naoya Inoue’s stay busy fight against #2 WBA super bantamweight contender Ramon Cardenas is official for May 4th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Inoue will defend his four 122-lb belts against Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs).

The poster of the Inoue fight does not include Cardenas’ picture, which tells you all you need to know about this match-up. I guess not enough fans know or care who Cardenas is for his picture to be included on the poster.

Boxing fans on social media are unhappy with the opponent’s choice for Inoue. Since 2023, he’s had three consecutive mismatches in fights that were never expected to be competitive. They’re starting to despise Naoya Inoue, and it’s understandable why. People want to see Inoue start fighting quality opposition that they’re interested in seeing.

Inoue’s Recent Opponents

– Ye Joon Kim
– TJ Doheny
– Luis Nery

Tomato Can Circuit

It looks to some fans that Inoue is playing it safe, carefully choosing opponents to keep him winning for as long as possible. Since Naoya got rocked by Marlon Tapales four fights ago, he’s been on the tomato can circuit. Top Rank is trying to turn Inoue into a star in the U.S, and it’s not working. While fans love Inoue in Japan, Americans expect more of fighters, and they know when a guy is being fed gimmes.

Inoue’s next match will reportedly be against WBA interim champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September in Tokyo, Japan. Fans have been looking forward to that one for a long time.

Interestingly, Naoya is saving the good one for Japan and the lesser fight against Cardenas for the U.S. That’s a fight that Inoue has been marinating when he doesn’t need to. The same with Junto Nakatani. Inoue should be fighting Nakatani now rather than slowly building it. That approach would work if Inoue were facing the killers, but he’s not and it’s so obvious what the game is.

“Naoya Inoue is among the most powerful and well-rounded fighters I’ve had the privilege of promoting, a singular boxing talent,” said Bob Arum. “After many years selling out arenas and stadiums in his native Japan, ‘The Monster’ is ready to take over Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Ramon Cardenas is a worthy challenger who has earned this opportunity with several impressive victories.”