Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue 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 considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The win sets up a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
