Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Closer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, securing a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind 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 Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
