Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his opponent, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph sets up a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight 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.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “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 clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
