Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Commanding Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king 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 fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a potential historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. He also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
