The Japanese champion Takes a Stride Closer to Historic Japanese Showdown Following Dominant Win.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese super-fight by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a unanimous decision over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Controlled Performance from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the world's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in total command from the first round. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards reflected his dominance with wide scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” stated Inoue through a translator. “I am happy with the win, but I feel exhausted. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up considerable physical advantages to his opponent, Inoue quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned Picasso in the middle rounds and consistently broke through his defensive guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight wore on.
Laying the Groundwork for a Domestic Spectacle
The win sets up a possible historic encounter with compatriot the rising star. He scored his own win on the undercard, securing a points victory in his debut at the 122-pound limit.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” said the undefeated contender. “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 Prospect of a Historic Fight
Should it be made, an clash between the two champions fight—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would pit two undefeated, multi-division titleholders in their physical primes. This constitutes a rarity in modern boxing and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the biggest contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
