Inoue, known as "Monster" and holding a perfect record of 30 wins with 27 knockouts, faced an unexpected challenge from the American underdog Cardenas. Despite being a 100/1 longshot, Cardenas nearly caused a major upset in the second round.
Cardenas caught Inoue with a powerful left hook, sending the champion to the canvas. The knockdown echoed memories of Juan Manuel Marquez's famous punch against Manny Pacquiao. But Inoue showed his resilience, much like he did when Luis Nery knocked him down last year.
The Japanese fighter bounced back aggressively in the following rounds. By the sixth round, Cardenas was taking heavy punishment, mostly pinned against the ropes. Inoue's comeback culminated in the seventh round when he floored Cardenas with a right hook just before the bell.
In the eighth round, Inoue unleashed a barrage of combinations. The referee had seen enough and stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Inoue a technical knockout victory.
"I got caught with a good shot in the second round," Inoue said after the fight. "But I stayed calm and stuck to my game plan. Cardenas was tough, but I knew I could get to him eventually."
Inoue's next challenge is already lined up. He'll face Murodjon Akhmadaliev, an Olympic bronze medalist from Rio 2016 with a professional record of 13-1 (10 KOs). The fight is set for September, with a deal already in place.
Looking further ahead, boxing fans are eager for a potential matchup between Inoue and Junto Nakatani. While not yet scheduled, this fight could be on the horizon for the undisputed super bantamweight champion.
Inoue's victory in Las Vegas proves once again why he's considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. His ability to overcome adversity and finish fights in spectacular fashion continues to cement his legacy in the sport.