Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown Following Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, 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.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. 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 fight—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
