The perfect pressure fighter Naoya Inoue against a versatile Mexican challenger.

The Japanese champion is one of the most well-rounded fighters of the modern era: he can both attack and counterattack. However, he is at his best when applying methodical pressure, cutting off the ring, and launching powerful assaults.

Cárdenas, on the other hand, is more of a crafty fighter with solid punching power. He looks for openings, deceiving his opponent with movement, and when the right moment comes, he knocks them out.

Cárdenas is 29 years old, while Inoue is 32.

Not a youthful age for the lighter divisions, but far from being considered old.

However, there’s no real point in comparing their experience.

A two-time undisputed champion and one of Japan’s finest fighters, who has consistently faced only elite opponents, Inoue clearly holds a much richer résumé.

Inoue is not the most high-volume puncher, but he is extremely efficient.

He boasts excellent accuracy and superb effectiveness.

Naoya has the ability to turn any moment into a knockout.

For Cárdenas, his busy style and high output could be crucial — one possible way to try and confuse the Japanese monster.

Cárdenas has already fought once in 2025 — defeating previously unbeaten Mexican prospect Bryan Acosta by decision.

Inoue, notably, has also fought in 2025.

He plans to fight more than the standard two times per year, having started the year with a knockout victory in January and aiming for one or even two more fights after Cárdenas.

Very few can match Inoue in this department.

He is one of the most precise and devastating punchers in the world today — not only targeting the head but punishing the body with equal ferocity.

It’s worth mentioning that Cárdenas also possesses solid power and has a few beautiful knockouts on his record.

However, Inoue's focused and destructive punching is simply on another level.

There have been no real concerns about Cárdenas' chin so far.

How it holds up against a puncher of Inoue’s caliber remains to be seen — but it definitely won't be easy.

At the same time, Inoue himself can be hit.

It was a fellow Mexican, Luis Nery, who scored the first knockdown of Inoue’s career.

So no, Inoue’s chin isn’t made of concrete — but it's strong enough to endure heavy shots.

Since 2021, Cárdenas has been fighting exclusively in the United States, although he has never competed in Las Vegas before.

Inoue will also be returning to the U.S. for the first time since 2021, and notably, his two previous fights there took place in Vegas.

Both fighters will be making their debut at T-Mobile Arena, but Cárdenas is expected to enjoy massive crowd support.

The bout will take place during Cinco de Mayo — a major Mexican holiday — so the arena will be packed with Mexican fans.

A Cárdenas victory would send shockwaves through the boxing world — a real upset, even though he is a skilled fighter with strong punching power.

He has a huge opportunity to become undisputed champion on a day of national celebration.

However, Inoue certainly isn’t planning to take a step back or underestimate his opponent.

Naoya has big plans ahead and major opponents lined up.

He just signed a cooperation deal with Riyadh Season and is making his U.S. comeback.

Winning isn’t enough — he needs to win spectacularly.