The Japanese champion Moves a Step Closer to Landmark Japanese Clash Following Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion 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 opponent, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—heavily speculated for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.