In what was marketed as an exhilarating boxing weekend, fans anticipated thrilling matchups in the iconic Times Square and the glitzy surroundings of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the reality fell flat as two of the most highly publicized events in recent memory devolved into a series of disappointments and underwhelming performances. Two heavyweight draws, Rolly Romero against Ryan Garcia and the much-anticipated Canelo Alvarez pairing with William Scull, instead churned out some of the most abysmal punch statistics in boxing history, marking a harrowing moment for fight fans who had invested both time and money in hopes of witnessing electrifying clashes.
The Romero-Garcia bout, a supposed clash of titans, failed spectacularly in delivering excitement. It not only recorded one of the lowest landed-punch counts since the inception of CompuBox data tracking—dating back to 1985—but also secured a position high on the list of least active fights. The figures paint a grim picture: with Garcia landing a meager 66 punches and Romero managing a paltry 57, it begs the question—what happened to the fireworks we were promised? The fight was emblematic of a trend where two fighters were more interested in survival than showcasing skill, talent, or an appetite for risk.
The co-main event further compounded the disappointment. Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez engaged in a fight that left fans bored and longing for action. With an intensely lackluster performance and even lower punch stats—Haney landed 70 while Ramirez could only muster 30—viewers were left wondering if this was a boxing match or an exercise in minimal engagement. The promising backdrop of New York City felt sour amidst the echoes of groans from the crowd, and social media channels lit up with scathing critiques and memes mocking the lack of action.
Qatar’s Unlikely To Champion: The Canelo Scuffle
As if that wasn’t enough, the much-anticipated matchup between Canelo Alvarez and William Scull turned the tide entirely toward mediocrity. Instead of a dominating performance replete with power punches and decisive knockouts, the fight stagnated in a slog of missed opportunities. While Canelo won on the scorecards, the bout featured woefully low punch output—Canelo only managing to land 56 punches while Scull closely followed with 55. The showdown—allegedly pitched as a contest among elite fighters—resulted in the lowest output of punches for a title match, further solidifying the notion that boxing was in a bit of an identity crisis.
The supporting undercard mirrored the main events. Matches that were expected to breathe life into the night—such as Efe Ajagba-Joe Bakole and Jaime Munguia vs. Bruno Surace—similarly dragged on without the kind of thrill that a fight night requires. Each of these bouts concluded without a knockout, underscoring the callous reality of boxing’s recent bouts where heavyweights consistently fail to deliver. A disheartening trilogy of events unfolded, leaving fans disillusioned and questioning the present landscape of the sport.
Hope on the Horizon: Can Inoue Break the Cycle?
As the weekend meandered into its final act, all eyes shifted to Naoya Inoue’s showdown with Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas, hoping that he would break the trend of disappointments. Inoue, known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power, was seen as the torchbearer who could potentially save the weekend for boxing aficionados. There was a palpable feeling of desperation among fans, collectively longing for a fight that would restore their passion for the sport. Inoue was tasked not only with defending his four super bantamweight titles but also with rejuvenating a tired audience in desperate need of entertainment.
The stakes were high—this could either mark a profound turnaround in the narrative of the weekend or serve as an exclamation point on a forgettable chapter for boxing. Would Inoue deliver the action fans craved, or would he succumb to the prevailing trend of insipid performances? As the crowd held its breath, the weight of expectations loomed large. In this critical moment, it was clear: fight fans needed not just a winner, but a spectacle, a showcase of raw athleticism, and a return to the grand tradition of boxing that, for far too long, had been absent from their screens.