Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.

The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on fight night.

A Controlled Display Over Twelve Rounds

Universally considered as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten Picasso with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.

“I could have done better,” stated 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 significant height and reach to his foe, Inoue imposed his will 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 largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.

Setting the Stage for a National Spectacle

The win sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his first fight at the 122-pound division.

“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”

Inoue echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”

The Potential of a Historic Fight

Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.