Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
