Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.