The Japanese champion Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion 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 foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The win arranges a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Prospect of a Historic Battle
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-weight champions in their physical primes. 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.
