Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Japanese Showdown Following Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind 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. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
