Naoya Inoue Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Controlled Display Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The triumph sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the same card, earning a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said Nakatani. “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 commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.
