Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso for May 4 might be scrapped, Inoue has three choices for a replacement.

I wondered how ESPN ending the partnership with TR would impact the quality of the opponent Inoue fought in America. If it in anyway led to this Picasso BS being cancelled- I am happy. IMO. They should make the Akhmadaliev fight. A tough fight where Inoue can prove all the naysayers wrong and show how great he is.

Some "Monster"............

Both of those are better fights than Inoue vs Picasso, so this is fantastic news. I agree, personally don't think that MJ's loss in his resume reflects his ability in the ring. He is a quality fighter and a big 122 pounder that had a title belt in 8th fights. Tapales's stylistically just had his number with his long overhands and hooks. The Filipino won decidedly however as he was almost done dirty against the Matchroom promoted fighter, being that said styles makes fights, Akhmadaliev has punching power and refined technical skill, he is also a southpaw like Tapales/Nery. Also had beaten the likes of Daniel Roman, Ronny Rios and Ryosuke Iwasa who had stopped Tapales himself. If he were to fight Tapales now he win and decidedly too after getting experience and tested his opponent. Think Naoya Inoue beats him dominantly and by KO 7-10 rounds, but Murodjon has those impressive qualities like his granite chin and athletic ability that says he is a dangerous fighter. Might go the distance or there might be some shaky moments. Inoue isn't no ducker though and will display levels. Cardenas is also better tested and more experienced than Picasso who only fought an inactive Azat, Ramon beat Israel Rodriguez (30-5) and Bryan Acosta (20-0), he quite struggled with Bryan, but he resurged after the knockdown, he is a solid top 5 fighter in the division. Credible opponent to stay fresh while different opportunity opens up. Picasso is also a part time boxer, nothing bad about settling on becoming very financially successful with a future outside the sport. But the halfhearted commitment to fight one of the best P4P fighters today whose dead set on fighting the best available is a horrible idea. A renowned puncher with a big KO streak and lot more championship rounds under his belts. It doesn't help that he doesn't have the right tutelage either, under Erik Morales who although a phenomenal fighter (at 122 he had a streak wins over Zaragoza, ​Junior Jones, McCullough, Barrera and etc.) isn't a great trainer. Munguia also heavily struggled cutting weight with him, but under Freddie Roach he looked quite more healthy and if he made 160 he wouldn't pass out. Skill wise he was also more well-rounded. As Jaime's managed distance and used a more consistent guard to avoid punches while capitalizing in openings, Morales tried to make slip through punches more often, but the way he slipped and parried punches was more reflex based which varies person to person.

That wasn't already proven when he lost to Tapales? Imo , yes definitely but then why so many are still crying here ??? Might as well just get it over with plus it’s the best fight that can be made atm

That wasn't already proven when he lost to Tapales? I had him losing the Danny Roman fight, to be quite honest.

Inoue vs MJ Get it fughin done already Shut many of these posters up once Inoue destroys MJ proving he ain’t all that That wasn't already proven when he lost to Tapales?

i cant imagine innoue fighting doheny(who wont win) or fulton again. it was too much of a domination. if fulton does become the #1 guy at 126 i dont see a point in that fight for innoue since he already beat him so easily. hopefully someone else emerges as the clear top guy like ball, leo, or espinoza, no offense to fulton Fulton beat Leo rather easily the first time around, though Leo seems improved since then. I don't expect Doheny to beat Ball. Doheny hasn't had a big win in several years and Ball is much fresher. But Ball does get hit a lot and Doheny can crack, so I can't entirely discount the possibility. Guys who fight like Ball tend to get old overnight, like the Figueroa brothers both did. Espinoza is the least known quantity of the bunch, but he sure looked good dismantling Ramirez last time out. I think Inoue will fight the belt holders regardless of who they are. If it's somehow Fulton and Doheny again, that just validates his 122 run even more.

Utter nonsense. Davis should shut up and fight someone good in his own weight class for the first time in his life. Couldn’t agree more

It's the best fight that can be made at 122. His next four fights should be: 1. Akhmadaliev 2. Cardenas 3. Nakatani 4. Leo, Espinoza, Ball/Doheny winner, or Fulton at 126 i cant imagine innoue fighting doheny(who wont win) or fulton again. it was too much of a domination. if fulton does become the #1 guy at 126 i dont see a point in that fight for innoue since he already beat him so easily. hopefully someone else emerges as the clear top guy like ball, leo, or espinoza, no offense to fulton

Mercado is a 30-1 fighter who has never fought outside Mexico. His loss came by SD in a 4 rounder in his 2nd pro fight. He hasn't fought elite competition. Best win was against Arthur Villanueva, who had previously only lost to guys like McJoy Arroyo, Zolani Tete, Nordine Oubaali, and Elijah Pierce. So he's a solid guy but you'd expect him to have a few more name opponents before you considered him for an Inoue fight. The current rumor has Inoue fighting #1 Akhmadaliev and then #5 Cardenas, so that's great news if that's the way he goes. Those are the top two guys at 122 that he hasn't already beaten besides #3 Goodman, who pulled out of the fight three times. thank you for the info :)

Did you see that Davis wants a catchweight fight vs Inoue Utter nonsense. Davis should shut up and fight someone good in his own weight class for the first time in his life.

It's the best fight that can be made at 122. His next four fights should be: 1. Akhmadaliev 2. Cardenas 3. Nakatani 4. Leo, Espinoza, Ball/Doheny winner, or Fulton at 126 Did you see that Davis wants a catchweight fight vs Inoue

Yeah I get what you mean Still would love to see it It's the best fight that can be made at 122. His next four fights should be: 1. Akhmadaliev 2. Cardenas 3. Nakatani 4. Leo, Espinoza, Ball/Doheny winner, or Fulton at 126

They'll just go back to pretending Casimero is the bogeyman. And if he beats Casimero they'll claim Goodman was the man all along. Yeah I get what you mean Still would love to see it

Inoue vs MJ Get it fughin done already Shut many of these posters up once Inoue destroys MJ proving he ain’t all that They'll just go back to pretending Casimero is the bogeyman. And if he beats Casimero they'll claim Goodman was the man all along.

Inoue vs MJ Get it fughin done already Shut many of these posters up once Inoue destroys MJ proving he ain’t all that

who is bryan mercado? i honestly dont know if that person exists. hopefully he fights mj that would be great. Mercado is a 30-1 fighter who has never fought outside Mexico. His loss came by SD in a 4 rounder in his 2nd pro fight. He hasn't fought elite competition. Best win was against Arthur Villanueva, who had previously only lost to guys like McJoy Arroyo, Zolani Tete, Nordine Oubaali, and Elijah Pierce. So he's a solid guy but you'd expect him to have a few more name opponents before you considered him for an Inoue fight. The current rumor has Inoue fighting #1 Akhmadaliev and then #5 Cardenas, so that's great news if that's the way he goes. Those are the top two guys at 122 that he hasn't already beaten besides #3 Goodman, who pulled out of the fight three times.

inoue keep fucking around and watch he loses to some lower tier fighter. this gonna be the downfall of inoue. mark my words.

who is bryan mercado? i honestly dont know if that person exists. hopefully he fights mj that would be great.

Update: Not only is it staggering... the fight between Inoue and Picasso is no longer going on ❌ Sources tell me that Murodjon would be in May and Cardenas in September in Japan. We'll see https://x.com/ChavaESPN/status/1895216792999731525? Both of those are better fights than Inoue vs Picasso, so this is fantastic news.