Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way 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
Widely regarded as one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
