The Japanese champion Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Japanese Showdown After Dominant Victory.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his dominance with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable height and reach to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding combinations to the body. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the contest progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of 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 Prospect of a Generation-Defining Battle
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—widely rumored for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the most significant fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
