The Japanese champion Moves a Step Closer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “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 foe, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind without making 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 Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
