Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
