The Japanese champion Takes a Stride Closer to Landmark Tokyo Clash Following Commanding 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 Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion 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 Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “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
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
