The Japanese champion Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding considerable physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, securing a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight 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.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
