One of the world's premier pound-for-pound fighters, Naoya Inoue, is set for a high-stakes return to the ring this weekend. The Japanese sensation, known as 'The Monster', will put his undisputed super-bantamweight world titles on the line against the unbeaten challenger, Alan Picasso, in a headline bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Main Event: A Clash of Unbeaten Records
The spotlight falls on the Mohammed Abdo Arena on Saturday 27 December, where Inoue aims to protect his perfect professional ledger. The champion boasts a formidable record of 31 wins and 0 losses, with a stunning 27 of those victories coming by way of knockout. His opponent, Mexico's Alan Picasso, presents a significant threat with his own unblemished slate of 32 wins, 0 defeats, and 1 draw, including 17 knockouts.
This main event is more than just a title defence; it is a potential gateway to a historic all-Japanese super-fight in the coming year. However, Picasso is determined to shatter those plans and hand Inoue his first professional loss, aiming to seize the undisputed crown for himself.
Undercard Spotlight: Nakatani's Path to Inoue
The event's significance is amplified by a pivotal undercard contest. Japanese star Junto Nakatani, who vacated his bantamweight titles to move up in weight, makes his super-bantamweight debut against the also-unbeaten Sebastian Hernandez Reyes.
Nakatani, with a record of 31-0 (24 KOs), faces Reyes (20-0, 18 KOs) in what many view as an elimination bout. A victory for Nakatani is expected to set up a blockbuster showdown with Inoue in 2026, a match-up eagerly anticipated by boxing fans worldwide as a potential career-defining test for the champion.
Full Fight Card and Event Details
The action-packed card features multiple title fights and rising talents. The full line-up, subject to late changes, is as follows:
- Naoya Inoue (C) vs Alan Picasso – For the undisputed super-bantamweight world titles.
- Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez Reyes – Super-bantamweight contest.
- Willibaldo Garcia (C) vs Kenshiro Teraji – For the IBF super-flyweight world title.
- Taiga Imanaga vs Armando Martinez – Lightweight bout.
- Reito Tsutsumi vs Leobardo Quintana – Super-featherweight bout.
How to Watch Inoue vs Picasso Live
The entire event will be broadcast live globally via DAZN pay-per-view. The broadcast begins at 9am GMT, with the main event ring walks scheduled for approximately 1pm GMT.
Fans in the United Kingdom can purchase the event for £19.99, which includes a seven-day free trial of the DAZN service. The stream is accessible through the DAZN app on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, and web browsers.
Betting Odds and Final Preview
Bookmakers heavily favour the champion, reflecting his dominant status in the sport. Naoya Inoue is the overwhelming favourite at 1/33, while Alan Picasso is priced at 10/1. In the co-featured attraction, Junto Nakatani is a strong 1/12 favourite against Sebastian Hernandez Reyes (7/1).
This weekend's card promises to deliver drama and could reshape the landscape of the super-bantamweight division. All eyes will be on Inoue to see if he can continue his monstrous reign, or if Picasso can author a monumental upset on the global stage.
