Naoya Inoue Outclasses David Picasso in Riyadh to Retain Undisputed Super Bantamweight Crown
Japanese boxing superstar Naoya Inoue delivered another masterful performance on Saturday, December 27, 2025, defeating David Picasso by unanimous decision to retain his undisputed super bantamweight world championship at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight, headlining the Ring V: Night of the Samurai card, went the full scheduled 12 rounds, with all three judges scoring in favor of Inoue — 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111 — underscoring his control throughout the bout.
Inoue’s victory maintains his undefeated record at 32-0 with 27 knockouts and marks his sixth successful defense of the unified super bantamweight titles (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO). Picasso, a rising Mexican contender who came into the fight with a strong record of his own, suffered the first defeat of his professional career, now listed at 32-1-1 after taking on one of boxing’s elite fighters.
Fight Overview: Mastery From Start to Finish
From the opening bell, Inoue used sharp footwork, precise combinations, and powerful body shots to dictate the pace. He consistently outlanded Picasso and controlled range, forcing his opponent to adopt a reactive posture for much of the fight. According to unofficial round-by-round tallies, Inoue took every session on the scorecards and never relinquished momentum throughout the bout’s duration.
Picasso showed heart and resilience, especially in the middle rounds, but he was unable to match Inoue’s speed and timing against one of the sport’s most technically gifted fighters. Though the Mexican challenger pressed forward at times and landed solid shots of his own, Inoue’s superiority in ring generalship and shot selection was evident from start to finish.
Undercard Action and Co-Main Results
The Night of the Samurai card also featured several noteworthy undercard bouts that delivered competitive action:
Junto Nakatani, the highly regarded Japanese champion, made an impressive super bantamweight debut, defeating Sebastian Hernandez Reyes by unanimous decision. Nakatani’s strong performance across twelve rounds matched the judges’ close scorecards and drew attention as a potential future opponent for Inoue.
In the lightweight division, Eridson Garcia edged out Taiga Imanaga in a split decision battle, showcasing a tactical, back-and-forth contest that kept fans engaged. Meanwhile, Reito Tsutsumi secured a fourth-round TKO over Leobardo Quintana Sanchez, highlighting his rising status as a hard-hitting prospect on the Riyadh card.
What This Win Means for Inoue
The unanimous decision win reinforces Inoue’s status as one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound talents and a dominant force in the super bantamweight division. His performance — marked by blistering combinations and tactical precision — confirmed that he remains well ahead of most challengers at 122 pounds.
With the victory now in hand, attention in the boxing world has quickly turned toward possible future matchups. One of the most discussed possibilities is a mega-fight between Inoue and fellow Japanese champion Junto Nakatani, a matchup that could electrify the sport if finalized — perhaps as early as a major venue like the Tokyo Dome in 2026. While nothing has been formally announced, boxing insiders have pointed to this showdown as a huge event for both fighters’ home country and the global audience.
Global Boxing Landscape and Streaming
The bout drew fans from around the world and was streamed live on DAZN’s pay-per-view platform, giving international audiences a chance to see world-class boxing action from Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh event also highlights the sport’s growing global footprint, with major championship fights increasingly taking place outside the traditional boxing hubs of the U.S. and Europe.
Looking Ahead
Naoya Inoue’s victory over David Picasso caps a significant chapter in 2025 for the four-division champion, but the road ahead remains full of intriguing possibilities. Whether it’s a high-stakes domestic clash with Nakatani or a move toward other elite contenders in adjacent weight divisions, Inoue’s career shows no signs of slowing.
For his part, Picasso’s performance — even in defeat — could serve as a springboard to further opportunities, especially if he builds on the experience gained from going the distance with one of boxing’s best.
