Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
