The Japanese champion Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his opponent, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.