Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win arranges a potential blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious 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,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “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 Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
