The Japanese champion Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash Following Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
