Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” 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 significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a potential historic encounter 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.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
