Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Historic Tokyo Clash After Commanding Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the world's elite P4P boxers, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the previously unbeaten challenger with a blend of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “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, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the 122-pound division.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind 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 Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
