Ramon Cardenas understands and knows the extreme difficulty he faces tonight when he takes on top pound-for-pound champion Naoya Inoue. A David and Goliath battle that only Ramon and his team believe they can win. Considered one of the best in the sport, Inoue’s skills and abilities make it difficult for anyone to defend. His overwhelming speed, power, and volume are a unique combination few possess. Vegas oddsmakers have Naoya Inoue as high as a -10000 favorite to defeat Cardenas.
When asked how he can shock the world? Cardenas said, “A perfect 36 minutes, man, a perfect 36 minutes.” Defensively, it would mean being able to do something no one’s been able to do. Which is to thwart and minimize Inoue’s offense. With an 89.6 knockout rate, his power makes opponents backpedal. Per compubox, Inoue throws on average 57.8 punches per round,
landing 44.2 percent of his power punches overall. Making this match extremely challenging for Cardenas.
Cardenas has the heart and desire to become an undisputed champion. “I would accomplish my dream. I would accomplish my lifelong dream. My childhood dream, it would mean the world to me. There’s a lot of kids that grow up to say I want to be world champion. For me to have the opportunity, it just means the world,” said Cardenas of the opportunity to become undisputed junior featherweight champion.
Cardenas is a boxer who has overcome many obstacles and challenges throughout his career, doing odd jobs while pursuing his boxing career. He’s had to do Uber part-time, and at the beginning of his career, he fought for just tacos. He said of this experience, “My dad was my manager. My dad was my manager, so for me, how am I going to charge my dad a lot of money? He’s already paying for everything for me, so I couldn’t charge him my fight purse or anything. What he could give me was food and some shoes.”
Cardenas now has the opportunity he dreamt of as a child, and on Cinco De Mayo weekend, must overcome insurmountable odds. He’s overcome many obstacles just to reach this point and must now dig deep and give it his all. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz was unknown to the general boxing public until he faced Gervonta Davis, and although he lost, it was his valiant effort they remember. Pitbull did not win the match, but he did win the admiration of those who watched, making him a star overnight. Cardenas now finds himself in a similar situation, although the odds may be stacked against him. If he gives the performance of his life, he will be remembered for having fought greatly.
Ramon Cardenas Interview
Last Updated on 05/05/2025
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