Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges 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 super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
