It was a grim weekend for boxing. A sport known for drama, heart, and explosive moments delivered instead a lineup of forgettable fights, flat performances, and empty arenas. Statistically, it was abysmal — three of the five lowest-punch-output 12-round fights in modern history happened this weekend.

But just when it looked like boxing fans were going to be left with nothing, Naoya Inoue stepped in to remind us what greatness looks like.

The Saudi-backed Times Square boxing event promised spectacle, but delivered silence. A creative venue couldn’t mask the lifeless energy inside the ring. Fights were uninspiring, the crowd disengaged, and the production left viewers wondering why this event was even staged in the first place.

Whatever was left of the Ryan Garcia redemption arc may have ended this weekend. Garcia looked unmotivated and out of sorts from the opening bell — a fighter mentally checked out before the fight even began. Rolly Romero, not exactly the most polished operator himself, was handed the win without having to do much. It was less of a battle and more of a slow-motion collapse.

Meanwhile, Devin Haney looked like a fighter still suffering a hangover from his loss to Garcia. He lacked the sharpness, the swagger, and the confidence that once defined him. While it wasn’t a disastrous performance, it wasn’t one that screamed “future champion” either.

In the middle of the wreckage, Teofimo Lopez reminded the boxing world why he’s still an elite name in the sport. He turned up sharp, focused, and explosive — taking a deserved win over Arnold Barboza Jr.. Barboza fought valiantly and remains a solid contender, but this was Lopez’s night. He looked levels above, and it’s clear he’s far from done at the top level.

This was supposed to be a defense of the undisputed super middleweight crown. Instead, it was a glorified sparring session. Canelo Alvarez barely had to break a sweat against William Scull, who looked completely out of his depth and unwilling to take risks. It’s hard to understand how Scull — previously unbeaten but totally unproven — ended up with a shot at all four belts.

For Canelo, it was another risk-free title defense. For fans, it was another reason to demand better matchmaking. Yes, he needed a keep busy fight for Cinco de Mayo weekend and looking ahead to his fight with Crawford in September, but is this the best we can do?

On the undercard, Jaime Munguia avenged a prior loss to Bruno Surace with a clear decision win. It wasn’t electric, but it was controlled, measured, and dominant. Munguia did what he needed to do and now moves back into contention.

Badou Jack took a razor-close majority decision win over Noel Mikaelyan, with scorecards of 114-114, 115-113, and 115-113. It was competitive and gritty, but the question now is: what’s next? At this stage in his career, there’s not much runway left. A fight against Chris Billam-Smith could be the right send-off — especially for UK fans.

Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba fought to a 10-round majority draw that did little for either man’s career. Bakole, still reeling from his February knockout loss to Joseph Parker, looked out of shape and uninspired. Ajagba, as ever, lacked urgency. It was a forgettable clash between two heavyweights who now find themselves without clear paths forward.

Bakole’s conditioning and training habits continue to be major red flags.

And then came the Monster…

Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) delivered an elite performance on Sunday night in Las Vegas, stopping Ramon Cardenas in the eighth round to retain his undisputed junior featherweight title. Inoue was even knocked down in round two — a moment of vulnerability that only made his comeback more thrilling.

From the third round on, Inoue was in complete control. He battered Cardenas with surgical power punching, landing 57 of 103 power shots in rounds six and seven alone. He dropped Cardenas in the seventh and finished the job in the eighth, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to step in.

“I was very surprised [at the knockdown], but I took things calmly and put myself together,” Inoue said post-fight. “From then on, I made sure not to take that punch again.”

The T-Mobile Arena crowd — 8,474 strong — roared in appreciation. At 32, Inoue continues to prove he’s not just the best in his division — he’s one of the best fighters on the planet, full stop.

A mandatory defense against Murodjon Akhmadaliev is reportedly next for September, and it could be his toughest test yet.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: this weekend was poor for professional boxing. From lifeless venues to fights with record-low punch stats, fans were rightly disappointed.

But Naoya Inoue saved the sport from total embarrassment. And maybe, just maybe, reminded us why we still show up week after week.