Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's elite P4P boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
