The Japanese champion Moves a Stride Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle
The triumph arranges a potential blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, securing a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
