Inoue eyes Cardenas for May bout after Picasso backs out
Naoya Inoue eyes Ramon Cardenas for his May bout this year after his original choice Alan Picasso backed out.
Visit SportsMania for more boxing news and updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
INOUE EYES CARDENAS AFTER PICASSO WITHDRAWS FROM MAY FIGHT
Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) eyes Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) after Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) withdrew from a Cinco de Mayo fight in Las Vegas.
Furthermore, the 31-year-old Japanese undisputed bantamweight champion is scheduled to face Cardenas, three individuals connected to the deal told BoxingScene.
Moreover, Inoue will push through his first US bout since 2021 against the American.
This will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4.
The Inoue-Cardenas is just one of several marquee Cinco de Mayo fights.
Additionally, these fights will be staged by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh across the globe.
A World Boxing Organization featherweight title defense by Mexican Rafael Espinoza is also lined up for the Las Vegas triple-header along with the Inoue-Cardenas bout.
PICASSO’S FATHER BLAMED FOR MEXICAN’S WITHDRAWAL, SAYS OHASHI
Picasso’s father, according to Hideyuki Ohashi of Ohashi Boxibng Gym, should be blamed for the Mexican’s withdrawal.
Moreover, Marca reported that retired Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales advised Picasso that he wasn’t ready for Inoue.
Furthermore, ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez reported last week that Inoue-Picasso negotiations collapsed.
World Boxing Association (WBA) mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliuev and Bryan Mercardo were also considered as possible Inoue opponents.
The Japanese signed a four-fight deal, which includes bouts in Las Vegas, Riyadh, and a return to his native Japan.
‘MONSTER’ CONFIRMS ‘LOOKING FORWARD’ TO AKHMADALIEV FIGHT IN SEPTEMBER
A separate report said Inoue confirmed his interest to fight Akhmadaliev (31-1, 10 KOs) in September.
Furthermore, the fighter also known as “Monster” spoke to Daisuke Sugiura about facing the WBA mandatory challenger in Japan.
Inoue’s camp has been accused in January by promoter Eddie Hearn of avoiding rthe Uzbekistan fighter.
“I’m supposed to githt MJ Akhmadaliev in September ibn Japan, and I’m looking forward to it,” the Japanese champion said.
“I expect myself to show something unexpected in an instant… I think Akhmadaliev is a fighter of that level,” he added.
