Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
