Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue responded in kind 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 Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
