Shock moment Naoya Inoue is DROPPED by brutal left hook before pound-for-pound great comes back to win fight
The Japanese boxer saw his undefeated record come under threat in the undisputed super-bantamweight title fight against the American.
1
Naoya Inoue was knocked down by a brutal left hook from Ramon Cardenas
Credit: AP
At that moment, it looked like his perfect 30-0 record was set for its first blemish at the packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
He took some time to compose himself as he was being counted out by referee Thomas Taylor.
The referee got to eight before Inoue was fully ready, and the bell then saved him to call time on the second round.
READ MORE IN BOXING
In the two, he managed to land 57 of his 103 power punches according to CompuBox.
He then wrapped up the fight as he won by technical knockout in the eighth round.
At the time of the stoppage, the three judges had him leading 68-63.
Most read in Boxing
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
Post-fight, Inoue admitted that he was stunned by the knockdown in the second round.
He said: "By watching tonight's fight, everyone is well aware that I like to brawl.
'I was dying inside' - F1 fans stunned after Martin Brundle CONGRATULATES Conor Benn despite boxer losing to Eubank Jr
"I was very surprised [at the knockdown], but I took things calmly and put myself together.
"From then on, I made sure not to take that punch again."
It was his first bout in Las Vegas for four years and he was keen to hail the support he received.
He added: "The fans here were supportive and great.
"I hope I was able to entertain them."
Cardenas was knocked down for the first time in the fight in the seventh round.
But he insisted after the defeat that he was up against "pound-for-pound one of the
Inoue is now set for a mandatory fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Shane Lowry and famous American singer are spotted in Dublin playing indoor golf together
SHANE Lowry was spotted playing indoor golf with American folk-pop sensation Noah Kahan. The two were spotted playing together in an indoor golf experience centre on Dawson Street in Dublin 2 yesterday. 3 The two boys joking around during their golfing session Credit: @ 3 Kahan signed album cover for the indoor golfing centre Credit: @ 3 Indoor golf is hungry work as Lowry and wife Wendy went on a pizza date Credit: @wendyirislowry The golfing hot-spot is no stranger to Lowry who was hosted there along with fellow Team Ireland ace Rugby stars Kahan was playing in Marlay Park last night to over 40,000 people but had just enough time to squeeze in a virtual golf session Irish golfer Lowry. The Vermont native flew over to Ireland following his Sunday Glastonbury performance and wasted no time in retaking the stage. Read more on Irish sport Kahan is most famous for his song 'Stick Season' which has over one billion streams on Spotify. Lowry made time for both a golf session with a global superstar and also a pizza date with his wife Wendy. 18th in the world Lowry has two weeks of preparation ahead before he competes in Portrush - where there is The Clara-born superstar won the competition in 2019 with six strokes to spare, joining Padraig Harrington (twice), Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy as the only Irish golfers to win it. Most read in Golf He came sixth place last year just five shots behind winner Xander Schauffele after finishing the Lowry is coming off the back of a very disappointing US Open having not made the cut after the second round with a score of 17-over. Brooks Koepka suffers meltdown and smashes tee marker into fans before withdrawing from LIV Dallas claiming 'illness' His two rounds were summed up by The 38-year-old fared better in
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Go and end this geezer' – Eddie Hearn warns not to rule out Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul after talks with YouTube star
EDDIE HEARN has warned not to rule out a money-spinning fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul. The two-time heavyweight world champion has found himself linked with the shock bout after 4 Anthony Joshua is linked with fighting Jake Paul 4 Eddie Hearn is set for talks with Jake Paul's team Credit: Rex And the pair have And they plan to use the historic New York event to also sit down with AJ's promoter to And Hearn told SunSport: "I spoke to Nakisa last week. I don't see that fight soon. I maybe don't see it ever. READ MORE IN BOXING "You know, in this mad world, I wouldn't rule it out because obviously the money for Jake Paul for that fight is monstrous but it comes with a huge amount of danger. "But I don't think he minds the danger if it comes with the money - if that makes sense? "There's no point fighting Gilberto Ramirez, there's no point fighting Badou Jack, they're just not gonna give him the money and he's gonna get beat. "So if you're gonna get beat, you might as well get beat for tens of millions or even more." Most read in Boxing 4 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Paul, 28, Following his one-sided ten round points win, he called out WBA and WBO cruiserweight champ Ramirez, 34, and Jack, 41, the WBC title holder. Jake Paul's team plot talks with Anthony Joshua in New York But Joshua was also on his ambitious hit-list and Hearn said: "For us it's definitely not in our plans. "I mean, AJ's never gone to me, 'Oh yeah, can you chase a fight with Jake Paul please? "But if it was available, what would he do? Dunno, I'd probably say to him, 'Go on, go and end this geezer.'" Joshua, 35, has been out of the ring since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and has Meanwhile Paul returned to cruiserweight having last November beat Mike Tyson - who controversially returned aged 58 - over eight two-minute rounds. The American - He boasted: "I'm definitely not a heavyweight but I'm still gonna take the challenge. "But you know, look at Deontay Wilder, he was beating these guys weighing 215lb. "Granted he's like 6'6 or something but anything is possible and I like the challenge. "People's criticism is fight someone in their prime, who's a beast. I think people just want to see me lose! That's really what the message is behind it all. "And Anthony Joshua is an insane fight, but I want that challenge. We've been DMing back and forth. "He wants to make it happen. He called me up and it's looking very likely for next year." 4 Jake Paul called out AJ after beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Novak Djokovic survives medical scare at Wimbledon as he books second-round clash with resurgent Brit ace Dan Evans
NOVAK DJOKOVIC thanked some "miracle pills" for helping him defy the dreaded Wimbledon curfew to get his bid for a 25th Grand Slam underway. The Serbian star, ranked six in the world, will face Britain's Dan Evans in the second round after battling past Alexandre Muller. Advertisement 6 Novak Djokovic came through a four-setter against Alexandre Muller Credit: EPA 6 Djokovic, 38, sends a heart symbol to the Centre Court crowd Credit: Reuters 6 Djokovic required a medical time out Credit: AP 6 The Serbian superstar was not always comfortable on Centre Court Credit: AFP Djokovic has expressed his frustration at Wimbledon's unique 11pm curfew before and at times it looked like he would be back for the end of the first round on Wednesday morning. Djokovic stormed the first set against the world No41, who has made money from posting risque snaps on OnlyFans. In a rush to get things done before the roof closed, the seven-time champion cruised to a 6-1 victory in the opening set. But Muller, who has dubbed himself France's sexiest tennis star, bit back. Advertisement READ MORE WIMBLEDON Throughout a stunning second-set tie-break performance Muller survived two set points as Djokovic toiled. The Serb looked dejected and soon needed a medical timeout, while his opponent also needed attention from the physio. With the roof now shut and a curfew looming, Djokovic started to go through the gears, taking the third set 6-2 and breaking Muller early in the fourth. The Serb said: "It is great to finish tonight, before the curfew. Advertisement Most read in Tennis BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Muller played some brilliant tennis at times on Centre Court Credit: Shutterstock Editorial "I went from feeling my absolute best for the first set and a half to my absolute worst. "Whether it was a stomach bug or not, the energy came back after the doctors' miracle pills. Advertisement Coco Gauff, 21, OUT in first-round in biggest shock at this year's Wimbledon against Ukraine sensation Dayana Yastremska "I knew that something was off with the stomach, credit to Alex for playing some really good tennis. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I had a chance. I always have a chance." 6 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - Advertisement
