The Japanese champion Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided 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. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant height and reach to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The win arranges a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, 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.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” 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 Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.
