Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's top pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“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 without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
