The Japanese champion Moves a Step Nearer to Historic Tokyo Showdown Following Dominant Win.
Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Display from Start to Finish
Widely regarded as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges confirmed his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” stated 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 considerable height and reach to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The triumph arranges a potential blockbuster clash with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, earning a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue responded in kind without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. 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 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a candidate to be the biggest contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
