Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Landmark Japanese Clash Following Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his superiority 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. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
