Naoya Inoue defended his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO super bantamweight belts against Alan ‘Rey David’ Picasso via unanimous decision in the main event of The Ring V ‘Night of the Samurai’ at Riyadh's Mohammed Abdo Arena. Inoue dominated the 12-round bout, maintaining his perfect record, while Picasso showed heart until the final bell.
Inoue, entering with a 31-0 record (27 KOs), controlled the fight from the opening round with sharp combinations and relentless pressure, thwarting Picasso's counters. The undefeated Mexican (32-0-1, 17 KOs) went the distance despite expectations of a knockout, earning respect for his durability. Judges scored it 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111 for Inoue.
The four-division king, who began boxing at age six and turned pro at 18, has now conquered flyweight through super bantamweight. His nickname ‘The Monster’ stems from an early trainer's awe after his debut. This win follows 2025 victories over Ye Joon Kim, Ramón Cárdenas, and Murojdon Akhmadaliev.
Post-fight, Inoue remained humble: “I’m far from satisfied with my own boxing. That’s why I can stay motivated to get stronger (…) I still have room to improve.” Picasso, in his first undisputed title bid, displayed grit but fell short against Inoue's experience. Inoue eyes Junto Nakatani next before a potential featherweight move.
The card, broadcast on DAZN, also included Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez vs. William Scull.
