Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He stunned 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 win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their peak years. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
