NAOYE INOUE pulled off a stunning comeback after being dropped by a brutal punch from Ramon Cardenas.
The Japanese boxer saw his undefeated record come under threat in the undisputed super-bantamweight title fight against the American.
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Inoue, 32, was knocked down in the second round by a heavy left hook from Cardenas.
At that moment, it looked like his perfect 30-0 record was set for its first blemish at the packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
He took some time to compose himself as he was being counted out by referee Thomas Taylor.
The referee got to eight before Inoue was fully ready, and the bell then saved him to call time on the second round.
Inoue was able to get himself back into the contest and got on top in the sixth and seventh rounds.
In the two, he managed to land 57 of his 103 power punches according to CompuBox.
He then wrapped up the fight as he won by technical knockout in the eighth round.
At the time of the stoppage, the three judges had him leading 68-63.
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Post-fight, Inoue admitted that he was stunned by the knockdown in the second round.
He said: “By watching tonight’s fight, everyone is well aware that I like to brawl.
“I was very surprised [at the knockdown], but I took things calmly and put myself together.
“From then on, I made sure not to take that punch again.”
It was his first bout in Las Vegas for four years and he was keen to hail the support he received.
He added: “The fans here were supportive and great.
“I hope I was able to entertain them.”
Cardenas was knocked down for the first time in the fight in the seventh round.
But he insisted after the defeat that he was up against “pound-for-pound one of the greatest fighters on the planet.”
Inoue is now set for a mandatory fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September.