Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Japanese Clash Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's elite P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his debut 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 echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
If finalized, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
