Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.