A thrilling chapter in boxing history has unfolded, and the undisputed super bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue, has emerged victorious once again! But here's where it gets controversial...
Inoue, the Japanese star, dominated his bout against Alan Picasso in Riyadh, winning by a unanimous decision. With an impressive record of 32-0 (27 KO) and an astonishing 27-0 in world title fights, Inoue's legacy continues to shine.
However, despite his victory, Inoue himself was critical of his performance. Through an interpreter, he expressed, "My performance was not good enough tonight. I should have done better." He also revealed that he was exhausted, having made his fourth championship defense in 2025, and plans to take a well-deserved rest.
Picasso, with a record of 32-1-1 (17 KO), put up an admirable fight, but was ultimately unable to dethrone the champion. Despite the loss, Picasso's spirit and determination were on full display, and he leaves the ring with his reputation intact, having faced the best boxer in the world.
The official scorecards reflected Inoue's dominance, with scores of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108, all in favor of Inoue. Even the unofficial score from Bad Left Hook mirrored this, with a score of 120-108 for Inoue.
So, what's next for Inoue? All signs point to a potential showdown with his countryman, Junto Nakatani, who emerged victorious in a thrilling undercard fight with Sebastian Hernandez. Inoue hinted at this possibility, saying, "Both of us had very good wins tonight. Next year, we'll let the promoters decide. But for the Japanese fans, expect something very good."
But here's the part most people miss... Inoue wasn't fully committed to this fight announcement in the ring. This leaves room for speculation and raises questions about the future of this potential match-up.
Additionally, the idea of super flyweight champion Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez moving up to challenge Inoue was also discussed. Inoue welcomed the challenge, stating, "When he's ready and if the timing is right, I'd love for him to take me on."
So, will we see Inoue vs Nakatani next? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the boxing world is buzzing with anticipation, and these potential match-ups are sure to deliver thrilling entertainment.
What are your thoughts on these potential fights? Do you think Inoue will continue his dominance, or will a new challenger emerge? Join the discussion and share your predictions in the comments below!
