Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown Following Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win arranges a potential blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “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 iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their peak years. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
