Why Naoya Inoue is the best boxer fighting this weekend

The stars are out in Times Square. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney will tackle notable but very winnable assignments to set up a rematch of their controversial 2024 superfight.

Teofimo Lopez will make sure those two don't take all the New York attention before the focus shifts to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and his undisputed super middleweight clash with William Scull. That contest will see Cinco de Mayo and Riyadh Season collide.

But make no mistake, Naoya Inoue is the best boxer you can watch anywhere this weekend. Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) challenges the undisputed super bantamweight champion in Las Vegas on Sunday.

'The Monster' will enjoy his first outing in the United States since obliterating Michael Dasmarinas with body shots in June 2021. That was at the 4,500 capacity Virgin Hotels Theater. Inoue is back in Sin City this Sunday, but at the T-Mobile Arena. That's Canelo's usual haunt on this huge spot in the boxing calendar. This is Inoue's pitch for the big leagues.

WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas on Fubo

Not that a four-weight, two-time undisputed king of the lower weights has anything in particular to prove. But promoter Top Rank is positioning their man to grasp a profile in line with his punching prowess. There's no PPV fee required to watch Inoue vs. Cardenas.

Crossover superstars are uncommon lower down the divisions. Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) has the four main belts at super bantamweight, having done likewise at bantamweight. He also has light and super flyweight world championships in his past.

These efforts have Inoue ranked at No. 2 on The Sporting News' pound-for-pound list. Having a heavyweight in first place may go against the spirit of P4P, but Oleksandr Usyk's ascent from cruiserweight to heavyweight to dethrone Tyson Fury — matching Inoue's status as a two-weight undisputed champion — is worthy of such distinction.

The pound-for-pound crown sat upon Canelo's head for some time before Dmitry Bivol knocked him from that perch in May 2022.

A month later, Inoue iced Filipino hero Nonito Donaire inside two rounds, settling any lingering doubts from their classic 2019 encounter with brutal conviction. Paul Butler was his next victim, overmatched and in survival mode until Inoue stopped the WBO champion in the penultimate session to complete his set at 118 pounds.

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If the meeting with Butler felt like a formality, the move up to take on WBO and WBC super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton was anything but. This was the moment a few good judges thought the Monster might have bitten off more than he could chew. Fulton was the naturally bigger man and a technically fine fighter, but the American was soon overwhelmed and in way over his head. Inoue had him where he wanted him and produced a showreel stoppage.

Marlon Tapalas had the WBA and IBF belts for company when he tangled with Inoue on Boxing Day 2023. He acquitted himself better than Fulton, having some success following a fourth-round knockdown before the home favourite punched him to a 10th-round defeat at the Ariake Arena.

The famed Tokyo Dome was the venue for Inoue's first undisputed defence against hard-hitting Mexican Luis Nery. Fans were stunned when, in the same arena where Michael 'Buster' Douglas dealt out his all-time upset win over Mike Tyson, Inoue was dropped in this first. He recovered to batter Nery in a firefight that engulfed the visitor decisively in round six. It was thrilling, conclusive proof that he could take the power at the higher weight class, as well as making his own strength tell.

WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas on Fubo

Subsequent obligations against TJ Doheny last September and late replacement Ye Joon Kim earlier this year did not carry the danger of the Nery fight. Cardenas is expected to facilitate some fan-friendly action before joining the list of the vanquished.

If there is an air of showcase about Inoue's first headline show at a major US venue then it's because of what might lie in wait. Former amateur standout Murodjon Akhmadaliev represents the last argument to settle at super bantam, despite his narrow loss to Tapalas in April 2023.

Talking of former foes, Fulton is now the WBC featherweight champion, although the WBA king at 126 lbs — Liverpudlian pocket rocket Nick Ball — is the name on everyone's lips as a future Inoue opponent. Joining the rarified ranks of five-weight champions is palpably within reach. Then there's the looming all-Japanese superfight with the similarly undefeated KO machine Junto Nakatani.

At 32, Inoue is probably heading into the final straight of his career. Like most of what came before, it promises to be packed with fireworks. You'd be mad not to tune in when he puts his name up in Las Vegas lights against Cardenas.

Where to watch Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas

• Channel: ESPN (US), Sky Sports (UK)
• Live stream: ESPN+ | Fubo (US),  SkyGo (UK) Foxtel's Main Event (AUS)

Fight fans can watch Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $11.99 on a monthly subscription and $119.99 on an annual subscription.

The fight is also on ESPN. Cord-cutters can also stream the fight on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Inoue vs. Cardenas is available to watch in the U.K. via Sky Sports. Australian fans can catch the fight on Foxtel's Main Event.