The Japanese champion Takes a Step Closer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Commanding Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion 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 opponent, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory 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.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “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 Potential of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
