The Japanese champion Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
