Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant height and reach to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a potential blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
