Naoya Inoue Moves a Step Nearer to Landmark Japanese Showdown Following Dominant Win.

Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish

Universally considered as one of the planet's top P4P fighters, Inoue 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 scorecards reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.

“I could have done better,” stated the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”

Even while conceding considerable physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and thudding combinations to the body. He wobbled the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his defensive guard, forcing him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.

Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle

The win arranges a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman Junto Nakatani. He scored his own win on the same card, securing a points victory in his debut at the super-bantamweight limit.

“My goal in this weight class is to become champion,” said Nakatani. “Should the opportunity arise, I will seize it.”

The champion responded in kind while stopping short of a firm commitment. “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 Potential of a Historic Battle

If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—widely rumored for 3 May at the iconic venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their peak years. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied pugilistic heritage.