Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. He scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue 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. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
