The Japanese champion Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Victory.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“I could have done better,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant height and reach to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. He also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he commented. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. But Japanese fans should expect something very good.”
The Potential of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest fight in the nation's storied boxing history.