Fighter of the Week (9/11-9/17): Ramon Cardenas
On a somewhat busy historic weekend for the sweet science "Mexican Independence Day Weekend." A weekend made famous by the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, and Canelo, there was no major-mega card. However, there were several colid cards in Texas and California, and One Texan of Mexican descent put forth a star-making performance and put the 122-pound division on notice. Ramon "Dinamita" Cardenas of San Antonio, Texas, has been on the fringe of a world title shot for quite some time. Friday's performance on Showtime SHOBOX should put the Texan in the thick of the title picture. Cardenas scored a vicious second-round KO of Rafael Pedroza, moved his record to 23-1 (12), and took home the WBA Continental Latin America strap, as well as our Fighter of the Week award.
.
Cardenas has long been the forgotten San Antonio prospect, often overlooked in favor of guys like Mario Barrios, Bam Rodrigeuz, Josh Franco, and others. So Friday in his home city. In front of a packed out crowd at the Boeing Center that included the likes of Joshua Franco, Bam Rodriguez, and James Leija, plus San Antonio Spurs great Keldon Johnson, had special meaning for the Alamo City native. The often overlooked and underappreciated Cardenas vaulted himself into the world title picture in spectacular fashion. Cardenas, who has started slow in the past, got to work immediately, bringing the action to Rafael Pedroza. Cardenas landed clean power shots. One particular straight right-hand buckled Pedroza. The Alamo City native dominated the opening three minutes. The next 1:17 changed his trajectory. Cardenas scored with a picture-perfect left hook, caught Pedroza flush on the side of the head, and sent him to the canvas hard. Pedroza got right up and showed more heart than was good for him. Pedroza went right after Cardenas. The Texan scored with another left hook over the top that dropped Pedroza like a building imploding on himself as the crows erupted. Referee Rafael Ramoswaved the bout off immediately as Cardenas improved his record to 23-1 (12).
Cardenas has flirted around the top 10 of 118 and 122 but has gone mostly under the radar. He is under the radar no more. He ought to be in line for a world title shot, which Pedroza would have gotten had he won. However, a title shot may take a while, with WBA champ Marlon Taples, who also holds the IBF strap, will look to unify with WBC & WBO champ Naoya Inoue. Putting all four belts on the shelf. He could, however, move down to 118, a division he has competed in not so long ago and can still make. Title fights with champs like Takome Inoue-Jerwin Ancajas winner, or Jason Moloney. These are not just makeable fights, they are very winnable for Cardenas. Being able to compete at full strength in both the Bantamweight and Super bantamweight divisions puts Cardenas in a great situation to challenge for and win a world title in the next 12 months.
