Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Victory.

The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles 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 pound-for-pound boxers, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.

“I could have done better,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”

Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.

Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle

The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut 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 echoed the interest 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 Fight

Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.