The undisputed super-bantamweight king paved the way for a long-awaited all-Japanese mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Widely regarded as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue was in total command from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a combination of devastating precision, blistering speed, and relentless pressure. The scorecards confirmed his superiority with wide scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked Inoue post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. I'll rest and be much better next time.”
Despite giving up significant physical advantages to his foe, Inoue imposed his will with crisp counters and hurtful combinations to the body. He stunned the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a largely defensive posture as the fight progressed.
The win sets up a potential historic encounter with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, earning a unanimous decision in his debut at the super-bantamweight division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared the undefeated contender. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
The champion responded in kind while stopping short of 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.”
Should it be made, an Inoue–Nakatani bout—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary Tokyo Dome—would feature two unbeaten, multi-weight titleholders in their peak years. This represents a unique event in today's sport and is considered by experts as a contender for the biggest fight in Japan's rich boxing history.
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