The Japanese champion Moves a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown After Commanding Win.

Naoya Inoue paved the way for a highly-anticipated domestic super-fight by retaining his championship belts with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

A Masterful Performance from Start to Finish

Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, "The Monster" was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of pinpoint accuracy, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The official judges reflected his dominance with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.

“I could have done better,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”

Even while conceding significant height and reach to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and thudding body attacks. He stunned the Mexican in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight wore on.

Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Blockbuster

The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, earning a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound limit.

“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”

Inoue responded in kind without making a firm commitment. “We both performed well this evening,” he noted. “For next year, we will decide what happens. The fans can look forward to something special.”

The Potential of a Historic Fight

Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.