The Japanese champion Moves a Step Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“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.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
