Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant height and reach to his opponent, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. He scored his own win on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making 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 Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
