“This is the greatest fighter in the world,” Bob Arum roared at the jam-packed IG Arena. He had reasons to be ecstatic. In front of a sold-out crowd, Naoya Inoue humbled a gung-ho Murodjon Akhmadaliev. He accomplished the feat just a few hours after Terence Crawford wrote history in Las Vegas. Once again, Inoue proved why he deserves the pound-for-pound slot. But even beyond the ropes, the undisputed champion seems to have stamped his authority. While he remains one of Japan’s biggest draws, Monster Inoue’s popularity appears to have surged across the globe as well.

Latest reports suggest, across the US and the UK, over 13 million fans watched the Inoue-MJ fight. The figures follow the initial confusion surrounding the fight broadcast. Just months ago, Top Rank and ESPN concluded their partnership. The Bob Arum-helmed promotion seems to have struck a new deal. Later, news reports confirmed that English and American fans could watch Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Top Rank’s Facebook page. While some welcomed the initiative, it nonetheless left a few confused as well.

Another milestone in Inoue’s storied career

Brunch Boxing shared the news on X: “Naoya Inoue’s latest title defense was the most viewed bout outside of Japan in his career. It eclipsed 13 million viewers in the US and UK alone. Top Rank made the bout free to watch on its Facebook account.”

One of the users made a remarkable observation: “Wild considering it was at like 7am.” Inoue’s last fight, against Ramon Cardenas, literally rescued Cinco de Mayo’s famous boxing fixture in May. Fighting for the fifth time outside Japan, the ring genius’s 23rd KO win during a world title fight reportedly secured over $4 million in gate revenue in Las Vegas.

According to the Ring Magazine, after his win over Akhmadaliev, Naoya Inoue is now lined up for a December square-up. A Mexico vs. Japan theme pits him against the WBC number one-ranked contender, Alan Picasso. The bout against Murodjon Akhmadaliev saw Inoue dominating the fight from the opening bell. The Uzbek warrior could barely muster answers to the questions the Japanese champion raised.

The view record nonetheless brings home the challenges Top Rank currently faces.

Top Rank’s fight outside the ring

Late in August, well-known boxing insider and matchmaker Rick Glaser revealed that Bob Arum’s promotion had inked a deal with cable network provider Starz. “So here it is, Top Rank has landed a deal with premium cable channel Starz,” he wrote before adding a few details. “11 boxing shows a year, 1 million per show, & Top Rank will retain the foreign rights.”

With a New York card of July 26, the eight-year relationship between Top Rank and ESPN finally came to an end. The partnership saw fans watch some of the biggest and most enthralling fights on home screens. While Glaser couldn’t confirm how long the deal will last, he remarked that it’s a fresh start for Top Rank.

As far as Naoya Inoue is concerned, it’s a remarkable achievement for a non-American boxer. Especially given the circumstances – his fight took place just hours after what many consider the biggest fight of the era, which garnered over 41 million views on Netflix – his accomplishment via an unconventional channel remains phenomenal.

What do you have to say about the viewership figures of the Inoue-MJ match?