Naoya Inoue successfully defended his undisputed super bantamweight status on September 14th with an impressive win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev. The Uzbekistani fighter was touted to be one of Inoue’s toughest-ever tests, but the Japanese fighter prevailed via unanimous decision. <\/p>\n
It was just the fourth time ‘The Monster’ was taken the distance in his career, as he now has a professional record of 31-0. <\/p>\n
Easily considered to be one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Inoue is seemingly eager to add to his legacy with activity. In December, the 32-year-old star will return. <\/p>\n
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Naoya Inoue celebrates with boxing promoter Bob Arum after defending the world super-bantamweight title at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on January 24, 2025. \/ IMAGO\/AFLOSPORT<\/p>\n
Just days after Inoue’s most recent title victory, Saudi Arabian advisor Turki Alalshikh announced<\/a> that the Japanese star would be returning to action on December 27th. <\/p>\n Facing Mexican super bantamweight contender Alan Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs), Inoue will compete in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time. Picasso, 25, is coming off the back of a majority decision over Kyonosuke Kameda (15-4-2) in July. <\/p>\n Inoue will headline the event in December which features a series of impressive Japanese boxing talent. This includes fellow star Junto Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs), who has been mentioned as a potential future opponent for Inoue<\/a>. <\/p>\n Unified bantamweight Nakatani will be making his super bantamweight debut in Riyadh when he takes on Mexican fighter Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs). A win over the Mexican would earn Nakatani a super bantamweight ranking, seemingly setting up a fight with Inoue in 2026. <\/p>\n The Night of the Samurai is coming\u2026 Japan against the world \ud83e\udd77\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 \u23f0 27 December 2025 \u2014 TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) September 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Nakatani’s last outing came in June, when he earned a retirement victory over fellow countryman Ryosuke Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs) in their native Japan. The win would see Nakatani earn the IBF World Bantamweight title. <\/p>\n Former unified flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (25-2, 16 KOs) will also appear on the card, when he takes on another Mexican, Willibaldo Garcia (23-6-2, 13 KOs). <\/p>\n Garcia currently holds the IBF World Super Flyweight title, and will aim to defend it against Teraji, who makes his first appearance since losing his flyweight titles in July. <\/p>\n Three Japanese prospects will also feature on the card as Taiga Imanga (9-0, 5 KOs) is joined alongside brothers Reito Tsutsumi (3-0, 2 KOs), and Hayato Tsutsumi (8-0, 5 KOs) in Saudi Arabia. <\/p>\n Imanga, 26, will take on Mexican fighter and lightweight contender Armando Martinez (16-0, 15 KOs). Meanwhile, 23-year-old Reito Tsutsumi faces Leobardo Quintana (11-1, 5 KOs), and Hayato Tsutsumi, 26, takes on British opposition, James Dickens (36-5, 15 KOs)<\/p>\n The Latest Boxing News<\/p>\n Gennady Golovkin Speaks on Coming Out of Retirement at 43 Years Old<\/a><\/p>\n Jai Opetaia Explains Why Fellow Cruiserweight Champions Will Not Accept Unification Bout<\/a><\/p>\n Andre Ward Rips Terence Crawford ‘Smear Campaign’ Amid Canelo Alvarez Fight Rant<\/a><\/p>\n New Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis Fight Location Announced<\/a><\/p>\n
The Ring V: Night of the Samurai
Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso \u2694\ufe0f
A stacked undercard and a battle of honor and power in the heart of Riyadh \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udccd Mohammed Abdo Arena \u2013 Riyadh#NightOfTheSamurai<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/0twh5PmquE<\/a><\/p>\n