Inoue Brings the Monster Show to Riyadh in Festive Boxing Spectacle
If there’s one fighter who knows how to close out the year in style, it’s Naoya Inoue. For more than a decade, the unbeaten Japanese superstar has turned December into his personal highlight reel, delivering stoppage wins and unforgettable moments for fans back home. This time, though, the tradition has been given a dramatic twist. Instead of Tokyo, the spotlight has shifted to Riyadh, where Inoue is set to headline a massive Saudi boxing night against Mexico’s Alan Picasso.
The bout takes place on December 27 at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, marking the first time the venue has hosted a boxing event. Known more for WWE spectacles and major entertainment shows, the arena will now welcome what’s being billed as “The Ring V: Night of the Samurai.” It’s a fitting name, as Japanese fighters are featured across the card, with Inoue leading the charge as the main attraction.
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Last December didn’t go to plan for Inoue. A highly anticipated fight against Australia’s Sam Goodman was called off due to a recurring eye injury, leaving fans disappointed and the champion sidelined during his usual end-of-year slot. That frustration appears to have only sharpened his focus. Now 32, Inoue arrives in Riyadh for his fourth fight of 2025, making it the most active year of his already glittering career.
Inoue’s last outing came in September, when he defeated Murodjon Akhmadaliev on points in Nagoya. While it was a rare decision win, it allowed him to retain his WBC, WBO, and IBF super bantamweight titles and extend his perfect record to 31-0. It was also the first time since 2019 that an opponent survived the full distance against him, a reminder that even when the knockouts don’t come, control and class are still on display.
Standing across the ring will be Alan Picasso, an unbeaten Mexican challenger from Mexico City. Although Picasso has one draw on his record, he actually boasts more total wins than Inoue, with 32 victories to his name. At 25, he’s seven years younger and taller, with a longer reach, but this fight represents a massive leap in level. It will be his first bout outside North America and his first shot at a world title, making the occasion as daunting as it is historic.
The undercard adds even more intrigue. Japanese star Junto Nakatani steps up to super bantamweight for the first time against Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, while Kenshiro Teraji looks to bounce back in an IBF super flyweight title clash with Willibaldo Garcia. With Japanese and Mexican fighters colliding across divisions, the event has the feel of a global boxing festival.
With a worldwide audience expected to tune in on DAZN, all eyes will be on Inoue to see if “The Monster” can deliver another festive masterpiece—this time, under the bright lights of Riyadh.
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