Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown Following Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts 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 boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide 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. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a firm commitment. “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 Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
