Naoya Inoue Cruises To Easy Unanimous Decision Victory

Another Dominant Night for “The Monster”

Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) delivered another authoritative performance in the main event of The Ring V: Night of the Samurai, securing his 27th consecutive world-title victory and the sixth defense of his undisputed crown at 122 pounds.

Though it marked the second straight bout in which Inoue was extended the full distance following his September decision over former unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya the result never felt in doubt. From the opening bell, the champion operated several levels above the challenger.

“My performance tonight wasn’t good enough. I could have done better,” Inoue said humbly through a translator afterward. “I’m glad I won, but I’m really tired. I need some rest. I’ll learn from this and be much better next time.”

Rounds of Control, Bursts of Violence

Inoue began cautiously, almost inviting Picasso to engage in the opening round before taking command with sharp jabs and measured power. By Round 2, “Monster Mode” was fully engaged. The champion ripped combinations to head and body, particularly emphasizing brutal body shots that quickly drained Picasso’s ambition.

Whenever Picasso found brief success including a left hook in Round 5. Inoue responded immediately with blistering four-punch counters and stiff double jabs. At times, the bout resembled a high-level gym session, with Inoue experimenting on the ropes, playing “catch and shoot,” and snapping Picasso’s head back with crisp left hands and a thudding right over the jab.

By the middle rounds, Picasso’s output slowed noticeably. Inoue’s jab landed at will, his footwork controlled distance, and his timing punished every attempted advance. The championship rounds passed without drama, save for a short flurry from Picasso late in the 11th that failed to change the narrative.

Numbers Tell the Same Story

CompuBox statistics underscored the dominance. Inoue outlanded Picasso by 158 punches overall. Holding decisive edges across the board: 161-63 in jabs landed, 167-107 in power punches, and 96-66 to the body. Inoue averaged 27 landed punches per round while allowing Picasso just 14.

Picasso falls to 32-1-1 (17 KOs), game but outclassed against a generational talent.

A Superfight Looms in Japan

With the victory secured, the spotlight now shifts to what could be the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history: a superfight with undefeated countryman Junto Nakatani, who also impressed earlier in the evening by stopping Sebastian Hernandez in the co-main event.

Both Inoue and Nakatani are multi-division champions. Top-10 pound-for-pound fixtures, and elite knockout artists a rare convergence of skill, status, and national intrigue.

“Nakatani and I had very good wins tonight,” Inoue said. “Next year we’re going to decide what will happen, but my Japanese fans can expect something very good.”

The bout is tentatively targeted for May 3 at the Tokyo Dome a date and venue befitting a generational collision. Many observers already view Inoue-Nakatani as one of the most attractive matchups anywhere in world boxing.

Inoue, 32, also reiterated his willingness to face Ring Magazine and unified junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez should the opportunity arise.

For now, though, Inoue leaves Riyadh as he arrived undisputed, undefeated, and firmly entrenched among the sport’s elite, with a potential legacy-defining showdown on the horizon.