Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash Following Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated 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 physical advantages to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, 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 most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.