Naoya Inoue Takes a Step Nearer to Landmark Tokyo Clash After Commanding Victory.

The undisputed super-bantamweight king cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Riyadh on Saturday.

A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish

Widely regarded as one of the world's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He neutralized the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.

“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”

Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.

Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle

The triumph sets up a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound division.

“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”

Inoue echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “Both of us had very good wins tonight,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”

The Potential of a Historic Battle

If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for early May at the iconic Tokyo Dome—would pit two unbeaten, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest contest in Japan's rich pugilistic heritage.