Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by successfully defending 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 pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He stunned Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, 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. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
