Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
