The Japanese champion Takes a Stride Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic mega-bout by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Controlled Performance Over Twelve Rounds
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite P4P fighters, Inoue was in complete control from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“I could have done better,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his foe, Inoue quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Blockbuster
The triumph arranges a possible blockbuster clash with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a points victory in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a definite announcement. “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 Battle
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their physical primes. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
