The Japanese champion Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Tokyo Showdown After Commanding Win.
Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his championship belts with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on fight night.
A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top P4P boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated the champion through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Even while conceding significant height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled Picasso midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the contest wore on.
Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. Nakatani scored his own win on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight limit.
“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue echoed the interest while stopping short of a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “Plans for next year will be made in due course. The fans can look forward to something special.”
The Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest contest in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.
