While the festive season may be winding down, the action in the boxing world shows no sign of slowing. Naoya Inoue makes his highly anticipated return to the ring this afternoon, defending his undisputed super-bantamweight world championships for an impressive fourth time in 2025.
When and How to Watch Inoue vs Picasso in the UK
The headline bout, featuring the unbeaten Japanese phenom against Mexico's ambitious challenger David Picasso, is scheduled to take place in the early hours UK time. The main event ring walks are expected between 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm UK time this afternoon. The unusually early slot is due to the event being staged in Saudi Arabia to accommodate prime-time viewing in Japan.
The full card, dubbed 'Ring V: Night of the Samurai', will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom exclusively on sports streaming service DAZN. Fans can purchase the pay-per-view for £19.99 or access it at no extra charge if they are subscribed to the DAZN Ultimate plan.
Stacked Undercard and Fighter Quotes
Beyond the main event, the card is packed with elite talent, showcasing a thrilling Japan vs Mexico theme. Notable bouts include Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez and Willibaldo Garcia vs Kenshiro Teraji. One scheduled fight, Jazza Dickens' world title defence, was unfortunately scrapped after his opponent Hayato Tsutsumi sustained an injury.
Ahead of the clash, both fighters shared their thoughts. Inoue stated, "I promise you that there is no chance that my belts are going back with him to Mexico. This is a critical fight... I will give 100 per cent." Picasso, aiming to win a world title for the first time, responded with national pride, saying, "It will not be the ’Night of the Samurai’ – it is going to be an Azteca night... bringing those belts to Mexico would make my country so proud."
What's at Stake for the Pound-for-Pound King
Inoue, known as 'The Monster', carries a perfect professional record of 31-0 into this defence and is the overwhelming favourite. A victory would solidify his claim to the mythical pound-for-pound number one spot in the sport. For Picasso, this represents a monumental opportunity to shock the world and claim championship gold on the global stage. With the first undercard bouts starting from around 9:00 am UK time, boxing fans are set for a full day of high-stakes action from the Middle East.
