Naoya Inoue Next Fight Set as 2025 Plans Take Shape

On May 4, 2025, the undisputed super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) returns to action. “The Monster” will take on American challenger Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card. This announcement marks the start of the planned schedule for Inoue in 2025.

Naoya Inoue Set for Las Vegas Return Against Cardenas

Naoya Inoue Next Fight and 2025 Plans Revealed

“The Monster” will make the fourth defence of his undisputed crown against American fighter Ramon Cardenas. Following the announcement of Inoue’s latest fight, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said: “Naoya Inoue is among the most powerful and well-rounded fighters I’ve had the privilege of promoting, a singular boxing talent.”

Read More: Five Super Bantamweight Fighters to Watch in 2025

Setting the scene for the fight, Arum said: “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.” As revealed by Dan Rafael in his Fight Freaks Unite Substack, sources have told him that WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza will take on Edward Vazquez in the co-feature bout on May 4.

Naoya Inoue Reflects

Reflecting on his upcoming fight: “I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career,” Inoue said. “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.”

Read More: 5 Japanese Boxers to Watch in 2025

It was expected, “The Monster” would face Alan David Picasso, but with that deal not working out, it’s now Inoue-Cardenas. “Dinamita” has only lost once in his career and the American has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to face a pound-for-pound star:

“This means the world to me. 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,” Cardenas said. “I always knew our paths would cross. I never had any doubts. 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.”

Plans for 2025

The plans for the rest of 2025 are for Inoue to have two more fights after Cardenas. Should everything go as planned for Inoue on May 4, he will return to Japan for a pencilled-in battle on September 14 against Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev. Vadim Kornilov, the manager of the Uzbek fighter has revealed to Fight Freaks Unite that they have agreed to terms to step aside to allow the Inoue-Cardenas fight, although the agreement has not yet been signed.

Read More: Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery: Five Things We Learnt From Tokyo Dome Card

Should the Japanese star make it past Cardenas and Akhmadaliev he would fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following his recent win over Ye Joon Kim, Inoue spoke about the remainder of 2025: “2025 will be will be the year for me to go to other countries to fight,” Inoue said after knocking out Kim. “I am planning to fight in Las Vegas and then Saudi Arabia later this year. Please root for me wherever I go. Support me in my journey around the world.”