Not too long ago, The Ring's Tom Gray insisted that Japan is a boxing hotbed beyond anyone's imagination here in States.

By the looks for it, he didn't exaggerate.

In the November issue that hits newsstands Tuesday, he not only writes about it — he shows it (Find your local B&N to pick up your copy here).

Tom went to Nagoya for Naoya Inoue's undisputed 122-pound title defense in September when he boxed the ears off Murodjon Akhmadaliev for a unanimous decision.

He actually met Akhmadaliev for a sit-down interview before the fight and was asked who he picked to win. That can be awkward for some, but not professionals. It's nothing personal. Tom picked Inoue.

Because of the 16-hour time difference with Las Vegas, this card overlapped with Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford.

And it also was during this time Tom learned of Ricky Hatton's death.

It was a whirlwind weekend, and puts in perspective what the job is — no, we don't just sit there, watch fights and go home.

It can be extremely chaotic, unpredictable, horrible and beautiful all at once.