Naoya Inoue TKO8 Ramon Cardenas ... [In what was easily the best fight of a huge weekend of boxing], the Monster returned to American soil for the first time in almost four years, and he did not disappoint. Naoya Inoue defended his undisputed world 122-pound championship with an eighth-round TKO against Ramon Cardenas on Sunday evening at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) looked to finish the night early but was knocked down in the second round by a counter left hook. He maintained his composure, but with renewed respect for Cardenas (26-2, 14 KOs), who remained dangerous with counter lefts and right hands. By rounds five and six, Inoue began landing counter punches cleanly, forcing Cardenas to cover up while Inoue looked for openings around his guard. Inoue was more careful this time, moving back just enough to avoid counter left hooks or blocking the occasional overhand right. In the seventh, Cardenas had Inoue on the defensive as the Japanese star absorbed punches with his gloves. But moments later, Inoue stunned Cardenas with a right hand before consecutive rights dropped him. Cardenas returned to his feet, but another flurry in the following round forced referee Thomas Taylor to halt the contest at :45.

 

Inoue said. "By watching tonight’s fight, everyone is well aware that I like to brawl. I was very surprised {at the knockdown}, but I took things calmly and put myself together. In the first round, I felt I had good distance. It got loose in the second round. From then on, I made sure to not take that punch again. The fans here were supportive and great. And I hope I was able to entertain them.”

 

Cardenas said, “I never cared about losses. It’s about the best fighting the best. I dreamed about fighting in front of thousands of people in Las Vegas. So I came to give everything. I told my trainer that if I’m going out, then I’m going to go out on my shield. That’s what I did. I’m not sad. But I’m bummed out. It is what it is.”