Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Closer to Historic Japanese Clash After Commanding Victory.

Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.

A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds

Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.

“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”

Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, the champion imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the contest wore on.

Setting the Stage for a National Blockbuster

The triumph arranges 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 super-bantamweight 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.”

The champion echoed the interest without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”

The Potential of a Historic Fight

Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.