It did not help that the three main event fights were not as strong as some hoped, but there continues to be a lack of regard for fans and the poor atmospheres we have seen in some events hosted by Saudi Arabia continued with the invite-only attendance.
There is no doubt that a poor fight can be raised by those making noise in the crowd, but that was never going to happen in a crowd that were just pleased to be invited to be there.
No one will criticise any organiser for trying to do something different and the idea as a concept did sound really good- but as soon as it was announced that fans would not be allowed into the ring area, there was a concern and one that played out.
On Saturday it is the turn of Canelo Alvarez and the weekend will be rounded out by Naoya Inoue's return to the United States.
If things go right, we should have some big fight news very soon after those fights are completed and the weekend would then be seen in a very different light. The card in Saudi Arabia looks intriguing, while there is a solid chief support to The Monster in Las Vegas.
Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas
There is no doubt who the King of the Super Bantamweight Division is and Naoya Inoue looks like a fighter on a mission.
While a 32 year old Heavyweight may be coming into the prime of his career, it has usually played out pretty differently for those in the lower weight classes. Time becomes even more pressing for a fighter who is moving up the Divisions to find a challenge worthy of his attention and the expectation is that 2025 will be all about tying up loose ends in and around this weight class before moving up to challenge one of the Featherweight Champions.
Nick Ball has been spoken about, but it sounds like Inoue is pretty much tied up through to September and he is then looking to have one more fight in December. The chances are that he will face compatriot Junto Nakatani in that bout before 2026 is about winning more World Titles in yet another Division.
Mistakes cannot be made and Naoya Inoue will not be overlooking Ramon Cardenas, even as a significant favourite.
The American has a single loss in twenty-seven bouts and is a top ten Ranked fighter with three of the four organisations, but it also should be noted that this is a serious step up in terms of level of opponent. Ramon Cardenas did get the better of an unbeaten rival last time out, but facing The Monster has proven to be a very, very different test for most and it may be very difficult for the home fighter to prevent the Champion from making a big statement to those who may not know who he is.
Of course most Boxing fans will just be excited to see Naoya Inoue back in the United States with the next two fights rumoured to be back in Japan and potentially in Saudi Arabia. It lasted Three Rounds when Naoya Inoue last fought in the USA and the feeling is that he is going to find the shots to get this opponent out of the way before the bell is rung for the Seventh Round.
The WBO World Featherweight Title is on the line as the chief support on this card.
Rafael Espinoza has the dimensions to fight at a higher weight, but the Champion continues to make Featherweight and is coming in off a second win over Robeisy Ramirez, the second time in a Stoppage.
He is big for the Division and the hope is that Espinoza will be able to at least attempt to Unify against some of the other Champions. Doing so may put him in line to face Naoya Inoue when The Monster is ready to move into the Featherweight Division, but first he has to get through this defence.
There has to be a respect for Edward Vasquez who has only been beaten twice by Raymond Ford and Joe Cordina and one was by a Split Decision and the other by Majority Division.
A couple of lower level wins has just given Vasquez this opportunity, but it is going to be tough against someone like Espinoza who punches plenty hard.
That power has been clear to see pretty early in fights and Rafael Espinoza will be looking to become the first man to stop Edward Vasquez.
The American has shown grit and determination and that has to be respected, but he may struggle to get near Rafael Espinoza and will be punished trying to dip in and get inside the longer reach. It feels like he could begin to be broken down midway through this Twelve Rounder and that is where Rafael Espinoza can continue his strong run of form since announcing himself as a major player in the Division.
MY PICKS: Naoya Inoue to Win Between 1-6 @ 2.00 Sky Bet (2 Units)
Rafael Espinoza to Win Between 5-8 @ 4.20 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Boxing 2025: 16-45, - 24.90 Units (74 Units Staked, - 33.65% Yield)
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