Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Japanese Clash After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his foe, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
