Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash After Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” 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.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “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 clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
