Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash Following Commanding Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious 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,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would pit two undefeated, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
