The Monster Returns: Inoue Headlines Action-Packed Fight Night in Vegas

A monster fight week is here, and the spotlight is on Las Vegas.

Naoya "The Monster" Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs), Japan’s pound-for-pound superstar, returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2021 to defend his undisputed junior featherweight world title. He faces San Antonio’s Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) this Sunday, May 4, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Inoue has dominated the boxing world with two undisputed championships since his last U.S. appearance and enters this matchup as one of the sport’s most feared knockout artists.

In the co-main event, unbeaten Mexican featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) puts his WBO title on the line against former world title challenger Edward Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs).

Both bouts will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets for the event are available now at AXS.com.

Full Fight Card – ESPN+ Undercard (6:15 p.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. PT)

Rohan Polanco vs. Fabian Maidana – 10 rounds, WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Juan Leon – 8 rounds, Vacant Jr. NABF Junior Welterweight Title

Mikito Nakano vs. Pedro Marquez – 10 rounds, Featherweight

Art Barrera Jr. vs. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. – 6 rounds, Junior Middleweight

Raeese Aleem vs. Rudy Garcia – 10 rounds, Featherweight

Patrick O’Connor vs. Marcus Smith – 4 rounds, Cruiserweight (Swing Bout)

Fight Week Coverage & Events

Top Rank will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes content and live coverage throughout the week on YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

Original Content:

At Last…The Monster – A 10-minute spotlight interview with Inoue, offering fans an inside look at his return to U.S. soil.

Top Rank Real Time – Daily episodes following the fighters and their camps in the lead-up to Sunday.

Live Events Schedule:

Thursday, May 1: Grand Arrivals & Open Workouts – 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Friday, May 2: Final Press Conference – 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Saturday, May 3: Official Weigh-In – 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

(All events will stream live on Top Rank’s digital platforms.)

Sunday, May 4 – Fight Night

Undercard Stream: 6:15 p.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. PT on ESPN+

Main Card Broadcast: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+