Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and challenger Alan Picasso successfully made weight ahead of their highly anticipated bout tonight in Riyadh. The fight headlines the Ring V: Night of the Samurai event, available live on Main Event via Foxtel and Kayo Sports, as well as DAZN. The card, showcasing five of Japan’s top boxers, begins at 8 PM AEDT, with the main event expected around midnight AEDT.
On the scales, Picasso weighed in at 121.1 lbs, while Inoue registered slightly heavier at 121.5 lbs. The stakes are high for Inoue, who aims to defend his undisputed super bantamweight title and potentially set up an all-Japanese showdown with Junto Nakatani, featured in the co-main event. A victory would also allow Inoue to match the legendary Larry Holmes’ record of defending the Ring Magazine heavyweight title four times in a single calendar year.
Inoue’s Drive and Ambitions
When questioned by boxing analyst Mike Coppinger about his frequent fights, Inoue expressed his passion for the sport as the driving force behind his active schedule.
“I fight for myself, I want my fans and supporters to see as many matches as possible, and I love boxing,” Inoue stated.
Despite being the favorite, Inoue faces a determined Picasso, who is eager to achieve a historic victory for Mexico.
Post-weigh-in, Picasso exuded confidence and rallied his supporters to continue backing him.
“Give me all the confidence you’ve already shown me, I’m going to fight for my people tomorrow,” Picasso declared.
His words reflect the high stakes and emotional investment in this bout, promising an electrifying contest.
Co-Main Event: Nakatani’s Super Bantamweight Debut
While Inoue and Picasso capture much of the spotlight, the co-main event featuring Junto Nakatani against Sebastian Hernandez is equally compelling. Nakatani, who has achieved world title success in three lower weight classes, steps into the super bantamweight division for the first time. A win over Hernandez could pave the way for a showdown with Inoue, marking a significant milestone in Nakatani’s career.
Nakatani, weighing in at 121.6 lbs, expressed confidence in his preparation.
“My preparation went very well, tomorrow you will see my big bang,” he promised. “It’s going to be my first fight at super bantamweight, I want to have a good experience and then move to the next stage.”
This fight represents a new chapter for Nakatani, adding another layer of intrigue to the event.
Full Fight Card and Implications
The Ring V: Night of the Samurai event showcases a diverse lineup of bouts:
- Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso; Super bantamweight, for the undisputed title
- Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez; Super bantamweight
- Taiga Imanaga vs Armando Martinez; Lightweight
- Reito Tsutsumi vs Leobardo Quintana; Super featherweight
- * Willibaldo Garcia vs Kenshiro Teraji’s IBG Super Flyweight title fight cancelled with Teraji seeking a replacement fight
This event not only highlights the prowess of Japanese boxing talent but also holds significant implications for the future of the super bantamweight division. A win for Inoue could set the stage for a historic all-Japanese title clash, while Picasso aims to make his mark on the international stage.
As the boxing world turns its attention to Riyadh, the outcomes of these fights could reshape the landscape of the sport, offering fans a night of thrilling competition and potential upsets.
