Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Japanese Clash After Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated 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, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for early May at the iconic 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 contender for the biggest contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
