Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Dominant Win.

The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles 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 pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.

“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.”

Even while conceding significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.

Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle

The win arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound division.

“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”

The champion echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “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

If finalized, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.