Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his opponent, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The triumph arranges a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “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 Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
