Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion 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 considerable physical advantages to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle
The triumph sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“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 noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.