‘IT’S NOT FAIR TO ME’ Ramon Cardenas ACCUSES Referee for Saving Naoya Inoue from His Brutal Knockout in the Second Round

Ramon Cardenas has ignited a firestorm in the boxing world, accusing referee Thomas Taylor of unfairly saving Naoya Inoue from a devastating knockout in their undisputed super bantamweight title fight on May 4 at T-Mobile Arena. In a heated press conference on May 6, Cardenas vented his frustration, declaring, “IT’S NOT FAIR TO ME! I had Inoue finished in the second round, and the referee robbed me of my moment!”

Cardenas’ Outrageous Claim

Cardenas, who suffered an eighth-round TKO loss to the undefeated Inoue, pointed to the dramatic second round where his left hook dropped the Japanese star for just the second time in his career. “I caught him clean—perfectly timed, perfectly placed,” Cardenas said, his voice rising with emotion. “He was out on his feet, and the ref stepped in like I was the one in trouble. IT’S NOT FAIR TO ME! They saved him so he could come back and finish me later. That’s not how this sport should work.” The San Antonio native believes the referee’s intervention gave Inoue crucial time to recover, allowing “The Monster” to regain control and eventually stop the fight with a barrage of punches in the eighth round.

The controversy stems from the second-round knockdown, where Inoue struggled to beat the count but was allowed to continue after a brief pause. Cardenas argues that the referee’s decision to let the round end rather than stop the fight robbed him of a potential knockout victory, a sentiment echoed by some in his corner who felt Inoue was vulnerable. Inoue went on to dominate, landing 57 of 103 power punches in the later rounds per CompuBox, but Cardenas insists the outcome was unfairly altered early on.

A Fight Marred by Debate

The bout, which drew 8,474 fans, was a rollercoaster, with Cardenas’ gutsy performance earning him new fans despite the loss. Inoue’s comeback from the knockdown showcased his resilience, but Cardenas’ accusation has split opinions. Posts found on X reveal a divided community, with some fans agreeing the stoppage was premature, while others defend the referee’s call to protect Inoue. Cardenas’ trainer, Joel Diaz, reportedly told him after the seventh round that he had one more round to turn it around, but the eighth-round stoppage by Taylor has fueled Cardenas’ belief that he was cheated out of a historic upset.

Inoue, who improved to 30-0 with 27 KOs, dismissed the claims post-fight, saying, “I took things calmly and put myself together,” but the accusation has cast a shadow over his fourth title defense. Cardenas, now 26-2, plans to appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, arguing that the referee’s decision altered the fight’s trajectory and cost him the undisputed title.

What Lies Ahead?

The fallout from Cardenas’ accusation has intensified scrutiny on officiating in high-stakes bouts. Inoue is set to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September, but the controversy could lead to a rematch demand if Cardenas’ appeal gains traction. For now, the boxing world is left debating whether justice was served or if Cardenas was indeed robbed of a career-defining moment. The tension from that second-round clash continues to echo, leaving fans and fighters alike questioning the fine line between protection and fairness in the ring.