Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion 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 body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut 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 echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
