Naoya Inoue Vs. David Picasso Presser Key Moments

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 12:01 AM ET

Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion Naoya Inoue and David Picasso held their final presser ahead of their December 27 bout in Riyadh.

“The Monster” enters the ring following a unanimous decision win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September, while Picasso earned this mandatory shot after a victory over Kyonosuke Kameda in July. Picasso holds a five-inch height advantage and a longer reach, tools he will likely use to try and keep the champion at bay. However, Inoue is an overwhelming favorite (sitting as high as -2500).

While Picasso is praised for his volume and durability, he lacks the one-punch knockout power that has historically troubled Inoue in rare moments of vulnerability. Also featured on the card is Junto Nakatani, who faces Sebastian Hernandez in his super bantamweight debut. Should both Inoue and Nakatani emerge victorious, it is widely expected that they will square off in a massive, all-Japanese showdown at the Tokyo Dome in May 2026.

Presser

“This bout is going to be really important for my future – and how I fight it will be crucial to becoming pound-for-pound No. 1. So, I will give 100 per cent. I promise you that there is no chance that my belts are going back with him [Alan Picasso] to Mexico. This is a critical fight in the Super Bantamweight division, which you will see on Saturday. I am ready. All the Japanese fighters here have a high skillset and their mentality is very strong. That is proven and we will all fight good fights – and we plan to go home [to Japan] with good victories,” Inoue

“First, I would like to say thank you to [His Excellency] Turki Alalshikh, The Ring Magazine and the promoters. All the people who have made this possible for me, thank you. It is amazing to be here. Of course, I want to share my respect to Japan and to all of the Japanese fighters. However, on Saturday, it will not be the ’Night of the Samurai’ – it is going to be an Azteca night.

“We represent Mexico and every single fighter who is here fighting for Mexico on this card, we are doing it for our people. We do it because of the blood running inside our bodies. I’ve been working and working so hard for this moment. I have run thousands of kilometres. I am so proud of the job I have done – and bringing those belts to Mexico would make my country so proud, so I will not let them down,” Picasso