Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown Following Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The win arranges a potential historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, securing a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
