The Japanese champion Takes a Stride Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making 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 Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
