Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential 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-weight champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
