“David Picasso risks becoming the author of a sensation. However, there are few chances”, — write: sport.ua
This will be Naoya’s fourth fight in 2025. And one more step to the Japanese megafight against Junto Nakatani, which can be further for both boxers.
Inoue is very active this year. Picasso will enter the ring much fresher
Naoya Inoue has set a high pace for 2025. This is unusual for boxers of this level and class. Usually, after getting titles, status, fighters move towards monetization of all this. They arrange big fights, trying to earn as much as possible against famous opponents. Or at all, they box against anyone, eating away at their status, using it to the fullest.
Naoya surprised when he announced that he wants to do more than the two fights that have been his standard pace over the years in 2025. And he was even more surprised when he kept his word and went through all the applicants.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Naoya Inoue – Alan David Picasso The first was Ye Joon Kim. Not a name you’d be happy to see against Inoue, but that’s how things turned out. Naoya broke him simply: he knocked him out in the 4th round. He also did it beautifully, just when the opponent asked for it – he showed the Japanese to attack.
The next opponent was Ramon Cardenas. A difficult opponent from Mexico with a heavy punch, as for the lighter divisions. He even knocked out Naoya in the 2nd round. However, it was not possible to develop success: Inoue knocked him out even before the championship rounds.
An additional important factor is that this fight did not take place in Japan. For the first time in a long time, Naoya left his native home and took part in the fight in front of the Mexican fans, who all supported his opponent. This did not prevent the Japanese from winning.
Murozhon Akhmadaliyev became the third and at this moment the last. Matchroom Boxing client Eddie Hearn. The Brit claimed that Inoue was afraid of Murojon and avoided meeting him. That was partly true – about avoidance. More precisely, Naoya gradually followed suitors from the belts, reaching the Uzbek boxer as well.
Surprisingly, the former Olympian, representative of the recently successful boxing school Akhmadaliyev did not show anything extraordinary. He jumped around the opponent, tried to counterattack, tried to combine. However, all this was very brief and as if Murojon was afraid of his opponent.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Alan David Picasso As a result, Inoue won very confidently, although not prematurely. Afterwards, Naoya said that he saw moments to beat the visavi early, but held back. However, this is not a new story for every boxer with such a number and percentage of early victories.
It was expected that this would be Inoue’s last fight of the year. However, he enters the ring again – this time against the young Mexican Picasso. He also claims Naoya through the same organization. And he, like a real Japanese, follows the schedule without deviating to the side.
Picasso is an undefeated boxer who is much younger than his opponent. Very percussive, tempo. What is interesting: again Inoue will face an opponent who is larger than him. And by the swing of the hands, and by height. Which is not surprising, given how the not-so-big Japanese rises in categories.
And what about David with the opposition? Good question, because it is impossible to equate this list of opponents with Inoue’s rivals. However, he is not a failure. The same Kyonosuke Kameda whom Picasso defeated in the previous meeting is a good opponent. There was more than one interesting opponent, but it is not impossible to single out a series of opponents. Simply equating it to the record of a Japanese who has been fighting at the championship level for years makes no sense.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Naoya Inoue Who is the favorite?
A potential victory for Picasso is one of the main upsets of 2025 in boxing, if not the main one. Naoya Inoue’s win is often followed by a ridiculous 1.025 odds. At the same time, David’s raised hand is estimated at 13.40.
It is difficult to argue with these numbers, but there are still counterarguments. Picasso has several advantages. These are the dimensions. The ability to use them.
Multi-hit combos. Nice footwork. Theoretically, the Mexican can beat the opponent from a distance, constantly maneuvering around the ring.
However, this is theoretical. Louis Neri could do the same – it was a heavy blow in general. And Ramon Cardenas is also a boxer with a good punch, who at the end of 2025 recorded a crazy knockout. Ahmadaliyev has good legs. He also combines very skillfully – perhaps better than Picasso!
Dimensions are great. However, none of Inoue’s opponents were much smaller than him in the new division. Naoya got into a situation where the opponents around him are not going to lose to him purely physically. However, it did not break at all.
And so we come to the conclusion that Picasso’s main problem is his rival. Naoya Inoue is just a very strong boxer. But also much more experienced. The only thing that can break it now is time and too much activity.
This is exactly what Picasso should count on. Show your best and hope that four fights a year will be too much for Inoue. The same Merab Dvalishvili, who seemed like a machine, was exactly what broke him in 2025. Maybe Picasso will be lucky?