The Japanese champion Moves a Stride Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash After Dominant Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated the champion post-fight. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his opponent, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a definite announcement. “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 Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-division champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.