In boxing, there have been many moments where, going into a fight, the heavy underdog opponent shocks the world. Some examples that come to mind are George Foreman’s knockout over Michael Moorer and James ‘Buster’ Douglas’ TKO victory over Mike Tyson. For 29-year-old Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) from San Antonio, TX, this opportunity at the undisputed super bantamweight title on May 4 against Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) means the world to him, and he too seeks to claim a chapter in the rich history of boxing as did those who earned upset wins in years past.
Heading into Sunday Night’s fight on ESPN following the LA Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves game, Cardenas, the heavy betting underdog (+1500), looks to defeat Inoue and write the ending of his own movie. “That’s okay,” said Cardenas when asked about his position as the heavy underdog. “No one has to believe in me but myself. The underdog role is something I have never been scared of.”
Who is Ramon Cardenas?
Cardenas, a pro for ten years, is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, a promoter known for having some of the best eyes for young talent in the sport. Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, Cardenas spent the majority of his career taking fights in both the U.S. and Mexico in hopes of one day getting a shot at the title. On Sunday, he will have a shot at not one but four titles against arguably the top pound-4-pound fighter in the sport.
You would think that the pressure of a fight this big would get to Cardenas, but on the contrary, he is as cool as a cucumber on the outside unless he has a great poker face and is an emotional wreck on the inside. We just don’t know. But what can be seen is that he is a fighter with a dream and hopes the dream comes true in the form of a win against Inoue.
“I’m a regular person like everyone else,” Cardenas told FightsATW. “I have my good days and my bad days. I’m just a person who is trying to accomplish his dreams like everyone else. As a kid, I dreamt of winning a world title, and I’m almost there to accomplish that.”
When not being caught up in his dreams, Cardenas likes to challenge his mind and enjoys some of the simpler things in life. “I like to do Lego sets, video games, and “Van Life” stuff. When asked to elaborate on the “Van Life,” it’s when people customize a van to live in and travel across the country exploring. It is common in Europe, and the phenomenon has caught a little fire here in the U.S. But that’s not all. Cardenas has a ton of interest in the film industry. “I like films as I watch a movie and try to set up what happens at the end. I would tell myself, ‘If I were to write this movie, this is how I would do the ending.’
The Biggest Call of His Life
As a fighter, receiving a phone call from your manager is a common occurrence. So when Cardenas’ manager called him one day, it wasn’t a surprise, but the topic of the call ended up being the biggest call of his career.
“My manager had randomly called and then asked if I would like to fight Inoue,” recalled Cardenas. “I told him, ‘Yea,’ as that was a fight I was always interested in. He said, ‘Okay, May 4?’ I said, ‘Wait, are you serious?’ He said, ‘Yeah, but stay quiet as we are still negotiating.’ When it finally happened, I was like, ‘Oh Sh*t. Okay. Hell yea.’
Fulfilling A Dream As A Real Life ‘Rocky’
Cardenas has been training in Coachella Valley, CA, and trainer Joel Diaz, his brother Antonio, Ronny Cantu, and Strength & Conditioning Coach Benjamin Hernandez have had the tall task of getting their fighter ready for “The Monster.” Cardenas has been working hard in the desert heat of Coachella, and one thing is for sure: he will likely not miss weight as temperatures during this time of the year are already over 100 degrees.
All of the hard work is just for one thing: to beat Inoue and thrust himself as a top fighter in the sport overnight. Cardenas, however, just wants to keep it simple. “I want to bring those titles back to Coachella and San Antonio.” And while Cardenas knows what he is up against, that inner confidence will get him through until he is in the ring and the sound of the bell signals the beginning of the fight.
“Like every athlete, I’m never going to say that I’m going in there to lose,” Cardenas said confidently. “If I can write the story, I would come out victorious and go home to my family while being welcomed with a big ol parade.”
As we approach Cinco De Mayo weekend, will we see another big shocking upset, or will Inoue further solidify his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters? We will get the answers to all of the questions on Sunday night when these two fighters get in the ring live on ESPN.
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