Fans thank Naoya Inoue for ‘saving boxing’ after lackluster Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia cards 

Naoya Inoue puts on a boxing masterclass, entertaining the crowd as Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia fight cards flop.

Fans thank Naoya Inoue for ‘saving boxing’ after lackluster Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia cards 

Naoya Inoue saves boxing after lackluster fight cards from Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia (via X)

Boxing fans entered last weekend with high hopes, anticipating fireworks from superstars like Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia in action. Unfortunately, both fight cards fell flat, offering few thrills and delivering underwhelming performances that disappointed fans expecting explosive knockouts. Thankfully, Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue delivered a spectacular performance, salvaging the weekend with an unforgettable championship defense.

Inoue overcame an early knockdown to stop Ramon Cardenas via eighth-round TKO in an intense championship clash. Cardenas, riding a 14-fight win streak, shocked fans by unexpectedly dropping Inoue with a left hook in round two. However, Inoue showcased immense resilience and elite composure. The Japanese Monster recovered quickly, and reestablished dominance with body shots and relentless pressure. 

Cardenas showed grit, absorbing brutal punishment, but couldn’t withstand Inoue’s explosive offensive combinations as the rounds progressed further. Following the win, Inoue now eyes a September unification bout with Murodjon Akhmadaliev next. Nevertheless, his fight against Cardenas ensured the reputation of boxing over the weekend was maintained.

Fans had high expectations from the Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero card, which ended with the Puerto Rican boxer winning via unanimous decision. While Romero got an early knockdown, he wasn’t able to finish ‘King Ry,’ who was hesitant throughout the bout. It seems like the suspension due to PED usage and online scrutiny has impacted the California native’s lethality.

The card also featured the fight between Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez, which ‘Dream’ won via unanimous decision. However, the fight was deemed lackluster as Haney chose to rely on points instead of participating in strong exchanges. Following this, fans were looking forward to Canelo Alvarez’s super middleweight title defense, which didn’t match the hype and was a disappointment.

Fight fans react to Naoya Inoue’s spectacular knockout victory against Ramon Cardenas

The Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull fight set the record of least number of combinations thrown in a 12-round title fight. Throughout the bout, the challenger kept his distance and didn’t meet Alvarez in the middle. Following the bout, the Mexican superstar slammed Scull for his fighting style and accepted that the fight was boring. 

Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas after their fight
Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas after their fight (via X)

Terence Crawford was present in the first row and was visibly bored by the lack of action in the title fight. The only entertaining moment was when he went face-to-face with Alvarez after their superfight was announced. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from Naoya Inoue, saving boxing with an entertaining knockout win.

The debate around boxing being boring has been going through the whole weekend and Naoya Inoue came in clutch. Many fans were hyped by his knockout victory and showed their interest to see him again. 

Is Naoya Inoue the next superstar of boxing?

Naoya Inoue possesses an electrifying fighting style that combines precision and explosive hand speed, making every bout captivating. His knockout power is rare for his weight class, effortlessly dismantling opponents with body shots and counters that end fights instantly. Inoue remains humble despite his success, often crediting his team, family, and Japanese fans for his growth and global recognition.

Naoya Inoue is on the way to becoming the next superstar
Naoya Inoue is on the way to becoming the next superstar (via MMA Fighting)

Like Canelo Alvarez, Inoue climbed weight divisions, taking on champions and unifying titles, displaying fearless ambition. With international appeal and rising pay-per-view numbers, Inoue could become boxing’s next global superstar, bridging East and West markets. It won’t be surprising to see him beat someone like Gervonta Davis in terms of overall popularity in the upcoming years. 

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