Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion 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 opponent, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest fight in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
