Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
