The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.
A Masterful Display Over Twelve Rounds
Widely regarded as one of the world's top P4P fighters, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He neutralized the previously unbeaten challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters 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.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle
The win sets up a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot the rising star. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “For next year, we will decide what happens. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
If finalized, an clash between the two champions bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This represents a rarity in today's sport and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in Japan's rich boxing history.
