Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Japanese Showdown Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his opponent, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Blockbuster
The triumph sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
