Once again, The Monster delivered. Following two nights of failed superfights featuring world-class boxers who refused to engage, a visibly tense Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KO) made his way to the ring through an arena full of fans eager to see the Japanese sensation prove his dominance on American soil for the first time in four years.
Inoue was, of course, a heavy favorite against the unheralded Ramon Cardenas (26-2), but on Sunday evening, we were reminded that anything is possible when two trained fighters sling their fists at each other. After a typical Inoue opening round in which he threw a variety of hard shots from awkward angles, Inoue was dropped hard by a counter left hook in the second. Immediately after being sent to the canvas, Inoue got up to his knees, looked to his team, assured them that he was okay, then watched the ref give him an eight-count. His eyes were clear and his demeanor was calm, but as he stood up and the bell to end the round sounded, he slung his arm slightly in frustration, as if to signal, “damn it, not again.”
In his corner, his father/trainer gave somewhat frantic-sounding advice before sending his son back out for another round.
Throughout the weekend, there was a pattern of fighters who are content to try to pitch a shutout in every bout getting touched, and then refusing to engage. Indeed, when Ryan Garcia was dropped in the second round of his glamorous fight in Times Square Friday night, he arose from the canvas shell-shocked and unwilling to fire back. Devin Haney, despite having a clear advantage in hand speed and, somewhat shockingly, in power, refused to stop strafing from side to side to put a hurting on his man. Canelo never decided to press forward and possibly eat a few shots to get his much bigger punches off against his opponent to end the fight.
Needless to say, this was not and has never been the case with Inoue. Fans of The Monster love watching him fight because he is not concerned with being dropped, taking on challenges in a new weight class, or with fighting a perfect fight. He has stated before that he could choose to be an out fighter. To stick and move. To win on points. He just consciously declines this option.
Round three began, and despite having been knocked down in the final seconds of the previous round, Inoue did not run. He did not hold, nor did he refuse to engage. He did what he did when he was knocked down against Luis Nery, and when he was hurt against Nonito Donaire. He fought like hell. Fire with fire. Where many modern fighters would have elected to completely change up their game plan when they realized that the guy they were in against could sit them down on the canvas with a single shot, Inoue chose to will himself through the moment the old-fashioned way.
He dove right back in, guns blazing, mindful of the shot that put him down. Cardenas was initially happy to oblige him in a battle of haymakers, and even landed some heavy shots, but as has always been the case, Inoue began to get the better of the exchanges. Eventually, Inoue was able to put Cardenas down in the 7th round, and then to finish him in the 8th. While some online are stating that the fight was ended prematurely, it was clear that Inoue was beginning to steamroll his opponent, and any moments following would only lead to more serious and unnecessary damage being dealt. Additionally, Cardenas’ corner had already threatened to stop the fight themselves, so the referee’s intervention only slightly undercut their impending actions.
Viewing the reactions online, a few lessons became immediately apparent. First, most fans would rather see a high-level fighter get dropped in route to annihilating his opponent than a fighter who wins by fighting as safely as possible. Canelo could have taken some shots to get inside. Haney could have strung some combinations together. Ryan could have fought back. Even Teo could have pulled back on the showboating and went after a guy that he clearly had more firepower than. Inoue does not live under a rock. He was surely aware of the lackluster performances in the two nights prior, and has stated time and time again that he is more interested in giving a good show than winning a perfect fight. And in the aftermath of last weekend, even the staunchest “boxing is about not getting hit” loyalists are starting to come around with such dull events juxtaposed with an actual thrilling performance during the same weekend. Like it or not, boxing is show business, and the best way to put on a good show is to be in an exciting fight. There are certainly a few people tearing Inoue apart for being sent to the canvas, but they are noticeably fewer and further between than they have been in recent years, which may be because fighters like Inoue are showing that there’s more to boxing than staying undefeated or ruffling feathers on social media. People are attracted to the timeless battle of wills and the unpredictability that occurs when two fighters with the same limitations are placed in a confined space and allowed to do what they’re best at.
The second is that ridiculous money is a good motivator for fighters to get in the ring, but if simply getting them there is the focus, fans will continue to be let down. Promoters and matchmakers must understand that good names don’t always produce good fights. Perhaps fighters are agreeing to step through the ropes because there’s an unprecedented amount of cash flowing into the sport right now and they’re trying to cash in while the getting’s good, regardless of where they are mentally and motivationally. But how can we make actually engaging more appealing to the fighters? If there’s an upside to this, it is that undefeated fighters ARE taking more risks these days, which will hopefully lead to a diminished focus on retaining an undefeated record. Inoue fights for legacy, this much is clear. He is always going to put someone on their ass, or he’s going to go down himself. Either way, it’s going to be entertaining. Has there ever been as talented a fighter with this sort of mentality?
Lastly, to drive home a previous point, boxing is show business. Boxing tried the theater of the undefeated for a while following the departure of Floyd Mayweather Jr., but it is clear that carefully made matches with a nearly certain outcome are not what drives fan interest. Watching Inoue pick himself up off the canvas and bite down on his mouth guard to put forth a workman-like performance excited casual and serious boxing fans alike. Grinding down a game opponent who brought more to the table than he was expecting created the kind of night that you take with you to work the next day. In the end, this is what the legends of the past did that cemented the lasting love for the sport in the hearts of those who follow it. Great fighters have great records, but the legends carve out a space in your memories.
What are some of your favorite boxing memories?
Last Updated on 05/06/2025
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