Naoya Inoue paved the way for a long-awaited domestic super-fight by retaining his undisputed titles with a clear points victory over the Mexican challenger in Riyadh on Saturday.
A Masterful Display from Start to Finish
Universally considered as one of the planet's elite pound-for-pound boxers, "The Monster" was in complete control from the opening bell. He stifled the once-undefeated Picasso with a blend of pinpoint accuracy, lightning hand speed, and sustained aggression. The official judges reflected his superiority with lopsided scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108.
“This performance wasn't good enough,” remarked the champion post-fight. “I'm glad I won, but I'm really tired. After some rest, I will return stronger.”
Despite giving up significant height and reach to his foe, the champion quickly asserted himself with crisp counters and hurtful body attacks. He stunned the Mexican midway through the bout and repeatedly pierced his guard, compelling him into a survival mode as the fight progressed.
Laying the Groundwork for a National Spectacle
The triumph arranges a possible historic encounter with fellow countryman the rising star. He also emerged victorious on the undercard, securing a unanimous decision in his first fight at the 122-pound division.
“I moved up to this division to win world titles,” declared Nakatani. “If I get that chance, I want to take it.”
Inoue echoed the interest without making a definite announcement. “We both performed well this evening,” he commented. “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—heavily speculated for 3 May at the legendary venue—would feature two undefeated, multi-weight champions in their peak years. This constitutes a unique event in today's sport and is viewed by many as a candidate to be the most significant contest in the nation's storied boxing history.
