Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown Following Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Display Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his superiority with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion 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 significant height and reach to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a National Blockbuster
The win arranges a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion echoed the interest while stopping short of 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 Potential of a Historic Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
