Naoya Inoue Moves a Stride Nearer to Historic Japanese Clash Following Dominant Victory.

Naoya Inoue cleared the path for a long-awaited domestic mega-bout by successfully defending his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on fight night.

A Masterful Display from Start to Finish

Widely regarded as one of the planet's top pound-for-pound fighters, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated challenger with a blend of devastating precision, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The scorecards reflected his superiority with wide 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. I'll rest and be much better next time.”

Even while conceding significant height and reach to his foe, the champion imposed his will with sharp counterpunching and hurtful body attacks. He wobbled Picasso in the middle rounds and repeatedly pierced his guard, forcing him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.

Setting the Stage for a Domestic Spectacle

The win arranges a possible blockbuster clash with compatriot Junto Nakatani. He also emerged victorious on the same card, securing a unanimous decision in his first fight at the super-bantamweight division.

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

Inoue echoed the interest 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.”

The Prospect of a Historic Battle

If finalized, an Inoue–Nakatani fight—heavily speculated for early May at the legendary venue—would pit two undefeated, multi-division champions in their physical primes. This constitutes a unique event in modern boxing and is considered by experts as a contender for the most significant fight in the nation's storied boxing history.