Japanese boxing superstar Naoya "Monster" Inoue successfully defended his undisputed super bantamweight crown, but the victory left a sour taste in his mouth. Inoue secured a unanimous decision win over Mexico's David Picasso in the early hours of Sunday, December 28, 2025 (Philippine Time), yet he was openly disappointed for failing to achieve his preferred method of victory: a knockout.
A Victory Without Satisfaction
In the main event of the "Night of Samurai" boxing card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Inoue extended his perfect professional record to 32 wins with 27 knockouts. His opponent, David Picasso, suffered his first career defeat, falling to a record of 32 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 17 KOs. Despite the clear win on the judges' scorecards, Inoue revealed in a post-fight interview that he was not happy with his performance.
The champion confessed that he felt fatigued during the bout, which he cited as a key reason he could not put Picasso on the canvas. He also admitted that he did not focus as intensely as he should have for this fight, a lapse he now regrets. "I really wanted to knock him out," Inoue stated, clarifying his primary goal was to stop Picasso decisively.
Credit to Picasso's Defense
While critical of his own showing, Inoue did not take full credit away from his opponent. He acknowledged that Picasso's defensive skills were excellent, making him a difficult target to hit cleanly. The Mexican challenger's resilience and game plan contributed to the fight going the full distance, denying Inoue the dramatic finish he craves for his fans.
What's Next for The Monster?
This fight marks another successful title defense for Inoue, cementing his status as one of the sport's pound-for-pound best. However, his candid admission of disappointment and lack of focus signals a champion who holds himself to an exceptionally high standard. The boxing world will now watch closely to see if this experience refocuses "The Monster" for his next challenge, or if the rigors of maintaining undisputed status are beginning to show.
For now, the record books will show another win for Naoya Inoue, but the champion himself views it as an imperfect night in the desert.
