Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Nearer to Landmark Japanese Showdown Following Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his foe, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind 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 Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
