RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue defeated Alan David Picasso on Saturday, paving the way for a potential showdown with Junto Nakatani that could become the biggest boxing match in Japanese history.
A Japanese Boxing Blockbuster Looms
Two undefeated champions, Inoue and Nakatani, secured victories in Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for a highly anticipated fight in 2026.
- Naoya Inoue outpointed Alan David Picasso by unanimous decision.
- Junto Nakatani also won by unanimous decision against Sebastian Hernandez Reyes.
- A potential fight between Inoue and Nakatani is targeted for 2026.
- Inoue hinted at a possible future fight with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
The 32-year-old Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) dominated Mexican Picasso, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111. The performance further solidifies Inoue’s claim as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer. He received congratulations in the ring from undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, a testament to his rising stature in the sport.
What makes Naoya Inoue so dominant? His relentless pressure,pinpoint accuracy,and devastating knockout power have earned him the nickname “Monster” and a devoted following worldwide.
did you know?-Naoya Inoue is only the second Japanese boxer to be ranked No. 1 by *The Ring* magazine, joining Fighting Harada, who held the title in the 1960s.Inoue has held world titles in four different weight classes.
Nakatani Makes a Statement in Debut
Three-weight world champion Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) also secured a unanimous decision victory over Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, marking his debut in the super bantamweight division after vacating his bantamweight titles. The 27-year-old Nakatani won with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 118-110.
“Both of us had a very good win tonight,” Inoue told DAZN. “We will have to wait and see. But for the Japanese fans, you can expect something very good.” the prospect of an all-Japanese super fight has boxing fans buzzing with anticipation.
Inoue also left the door open
Reader question-Do you think an Inoue-Nakatani fight woudl surpass the popularity of Japanese boxing legends like Masayuki ohara? Share your thoughts on the potential impact of this matchup.
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