The stage is set for a thrilling night of Cinco de Mayo boxing at the T-Mobile Arena as Japan's pound-for-pound sensation Naoya "The Monster" Inoue and Mexico's Ramon Cardenas both successfully made weight for their highly anticipated undisputed junior featherweight world title showdown. The weigh-in, held earlier today, saw both fighters looking sharp and ready for Sunday's main event, which will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs), the reigning and undisputed junior featherweight king, tipped the scales at 121.9 lbs, comfortably making the 122-pound limit. The "Monster" looked typically focused and intense, ready to defend his unified WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO titles against the challenge of the determined Cardenas.
Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) also looked in prime condition, weighing in slightly lighter at 121.8 lbs. The Mexican-descent American challenger appeared confident and respectful, acknowledging the magnitude of the task ahead but determined to seize the opportunity of a lifetime against the sport's elite.
The co-main event also saw both fighters successfully make weight for their WBO featherweight world title clash. Champion Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) registered 125.4 lbs, while his challenger, Edward Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs), weighed in at 125.6 lbs. This bout promises an exciting contrast in styles, with Espinoza's power and aggression meeting Vazquez's slick boxing skills.
The ESPN+ undercard, kicking off at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT, also features a number of compelling matchups:
• Rohan Polanco weighed in at 146.2 lbs for his WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title defense against Fabian Maidana who weighed 146 lbs.
• Rising prospect Emiliano Fernando Vargas hit the scales at 138.7 lbs for his fight against Juan Leon, who weighed 139.9 lbs, for the vacant Jr. NABF Junior Welterweight Title.
• Japan's Mikito Nakano weighed 125.9 lbs for his ten-round featherweight bout against Pedro Marquez, who came in at 126 lbs.
• Art Barrera Jr. and Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. both made weight for their six-round junior middleweight contest, at 152.7 lbs and 153.7 lbs respectively.
• In a ten-round bantamweight affair, Raeese Aleem weighed 125.6 lbs, while Rudy Garcia registered 125.3 lbs.
A swing bout featuring cruiserweights Patrick O'Connor (196.1 lbs) and Marcus Smith (188 lbs) is also scheduled for four rounds.
With all fighters successfully making weight, the stage is set for a stacked card headlined by the highly anticipated undisputed title clash between Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas. Boxing fans around the world are eagerly awaiting Sunday night's action from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing.
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