Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso result: Inoue wins decision, Nakatani likely next
Naoya Inoue remains the undisputed super bantamweight world champion, showcasing his dominance against Alan Picasso to secure a unanimous decision victory in Riyadh. Inoue’s record improves to 32-0 (27 KO), maintaining an impressive 27-0 record in world title matches throughout his career. The Japanese fighter is expected to face fellow countryman Junto Nakatani, who triumphed on the undercard in an exhilarating bout against Sebastian Hernandez. “I didn’t perform well enough tonight. I could have done better,” Inoue expressed via an interpreter. He also acknowledged feeling “really tired,” as he made his fourth championship defense of 2025, stating he would “rest for a while.” Picasso (32-1-1, 17 KO) never seemed to be in a position to win the bout, yet he delivered a commendable performance, continually seeking an opportunity to upset the fight. He loses no significant standing in defeat, having faced arguably the finest boxer in the world and lasting the full 12 rounds, doing so with spirit and determination.
Scores for Inoue vs Picasso
The official scorecards read 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108, all in favor of Inoue. Bad Left Hook unofficially tallied the fight at 120-108 for Inoue.
Is Inoue vs Nakatani on the horizon?
All indications suggest “yes,” but Inoue refrained from confirming directly in the ring. This could signify something, or it might not, a statement that essentially translates to “we’ll see.” “We both had very strong performances tonight. Next year, we’re going to leave it to (the promoters) to figure out our next steps,” Inoue stated. “But for the Japanese fans, expect something really exciting.” The idea of super flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez moving up to challenge Inoue was also mentioned. “Yes, when he’s prepared, and if he’s able to fight in the super bantamweight division, and if the timing aligns, I would welcome him to challenge me,” Inoue remarked.
Published: 2025-12-27 14:39:00
source: www.badlefthook.com
