Ed Odeven 
Undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue (left) and challenger Ramon Cardenas pose for photos on April 23 in Los Angeles. (©MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK/via KYODO)
In Las Vegas, undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue will appear in his first overseas fight since June 2021 when he steps into the ring against challenger Ramon Cardenas on Sunday, May 4. The title fight is expected to begin around 12 PM JST on Monday.
Inoue's boxing career is filled with an encyclopedia-long list of achievements, including a 24-0 record (22 KOs) in world title fights.
Since his last bout outside of Japan ― a third-round KO of Michael Dasmarinas at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to defend his WBA and IBF bantamweight titles ― "Monster" Inoue has thrived. He has unified the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions.
Along the way, in succession, he's beaten Aran Dipaen, Nonito Donaire, Paul Butler, Stephen Fulton, Marlon Tapales, Luis Nery, TJ Doheny and Ye Joon Kim.
Kim was Inoue's latest knockout victim, falling in the fourth round at Ariake Arena on January 24.
Now 32 years old, Inoue (29-0 overall, 26 KOs) is closer to the end of his career than its beginning. And in his long-awaited return to the United States, he'll have a chance to reconnect with boxing fans in Las Vegas and create new memories for fans who'll see him fight there.
"I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career," Inoue said, according to a recent Top Rank Boxing news release. "Fighting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight, and I look forward to putting on a great show for everyone in attendance. Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation."
Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas
The latest title match of Inoue's illustrious career looks like a mismatch on paper. A tested pugilist with a staggering amount of experience with everything on the line against a classic underdog.
Noted above are Inoue's Hall of Fame credentials ― his record in title fights. Meanwhile, Cardenas is set for his first world title appearance.
A 29-year-old native of San Antonio, Texas, Cardenas is 26-1, including 14 wins via stoppage.
In his most recent payday, Cardenas defeated Bryan Acosta by unanimous decision in a 10-round showdown on February 8 in his hometown. It was Cardenas' 14th consecutive victory. (The lone defeat of his pro career was in a majority decision won by Danny Flores in April 2017 in Monterrey, Mexico.)
The Ring's Jake Donovan provided vivid reporting on the Cardenas-Acosta bout.
"A massive momentum shift came early in the seventh round," Donovan wrote. "Acosta landed a sweeping left hook to produce the bout's lone knockdown. Cardenas made it to his feet but struggled to find his legs for most of the rest of the round."
What happened next?
"Acosta continued to land power shots in the round and throughout the eighth but was unable to close the show," Donovan reported. "Cardenas survived the gut check and regained control in the ninth."
A 'Dream Come True' for Cardenas
To earn his first world title fight at age 29 would be a big deal for Cardenas. He talked about the May 4 clash with Inoue in the run-up to the high-profile event.
"This means the world to me," Cardenas said, according to Top Rank Boxing. "I've always aspired to fight for a world title, but to get a chance to fight for all the belts is a dream come true. I always knew our paths would cross, I never had any doubts."
He continued: "When the fight was offered, I instantly accepted. I wouldn't say it's a lottery ticket, but you can't turn it down if you get a chance at the undisputed title. This is the opportunity of a lifetime."
Pre-Fight Preparations
Naoya Inoue arrived in Los Angeles on April 23 to begin final preparations for his title bout. On the same day, he held a workout and shared his aspirations for the fight. There was a large crowd of reporters from his homeland and the United States.
"I'm not hoping for a decision to determine the bout," Inoue was quoted as saying by Kyodo News, adding, "I want to make the fans excited."
In other words, he's eyeing the 27th KO of his career.
As the calendar shifted to May, Inoue moved his base of operations to Las Vegas.
He weighed in on his return to the glistening entertainment and sports mecca of the American West during a news conference on Tuesday, May 1.
"It's been four years since I've been here, so I'm very excited," Inoue told reporters. "I am very much aware of what the fans expect of me. And on Cinco De Mayo Weekend, I plan on meeting those expectations."
Describing his Sunday opponent, Inoue added: "[Cardenas] is a very well-rounded fighter. With that being said, he has a very good left. I don't have time to be cautious."
Parting Thoughts from Cardenas
Recognizing that Inoue will be the overwhelming favorite when the bell clangs for the opening round on Sunday night in Vegas/Monday afternoon in Japan, Cardenas is embracing his role as the classic underdog.
"I have nothing to lose and everything to gain," he told a news conference. "[And] I have no pressure on me, so I'm going to go out there and give the fans a great show."
He went on: "I'm not here for the money, I'm here for the legacy. If I become a world champion, nobody can take that away from me."
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
