Naoya Inoue defeated Alan David Picasso by unanimous decision on December 27, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The judges scored the fight 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111, giving Inoue a clear 12-round victory.
Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight championships, while Picasso suffered the first professional defeat of his career.
Key Takeaways
Naoya Inoue won Inoue vs Picasso by unanimous decision.
The official scores were 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111.
The fight took place on December 27, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight championships.
CompuBox credited Inoue with 328 punches landed compared with 170 for Picasso.
Picasso went the full 12 rounds but suffered his first professional loss.
Inoue vs Picasso Result
The highly anticipated matchup between Japanese champion Naoya Inoue and Mexican challenger Alan David Picasso ended with a clear unanimous decision victory for Inoue.
The bout took place at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 27, 2025. Inoue entered as the undisputed super bantamweight champion, while Picasso came in undefeated at 32-0-1.
After 12 rounds, all three judges scored the fight for Inoue:
| Judge | Score |
|---|---|
| Judge 1 | 120-108 Inoue |
| Judge 2 | 119-109 Inoue |
| Judge 3 | 117-111 Inoue |
The decision was unanimous, and Inoue successfully retained his championship status.
Official Scorecards
The scorecards show that Inoue controlled the contest throughout the 12 rounds. One judge gave Picasso just two rounds, while the other two scored the bout either a shutout or nearly a shutout.
There was no knockout, but the decision was decisive.
Key Takeaway:
The official result was a 12-round unanimous decision for Naoya Inoue, not a knockout.
Inoue vs Picasso Fight Details
Date and Location
Inoue vs Picasso took place on December 27, 2025, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout was part of The Ring V: Night of the Samurai event and served as the main event.
Titles at Stake
Inoue entered the contest as the undisputed champion at super bantamweight, with the major world titles at 122 pounds on the line.
The matchup was particularly significant because Picasso was undefeated and had earned his position as a leading challenger.
The WBC identified Picasso as its No. 2-ranked super bantamweight challenger before the bout.
Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso Records and Measurements
The physical comparison was interesting because Picasso had advantages in height and reach.
| Category | Naoya Inoue | Alan David Picasso |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Mexico |
| Age at fight | 32 | 25 |
| Height | 5’5″ | 5’8″ |
| Reach | 67.5″ | 70″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Record entering fight | 31-0 | 32-0-1 |
| Knockouts entering fight | 27 | 17 |
The WBC’s pre-fight statistics listed Inoue at 5 feet 5 inches with a 67.5-inch reach, compared with Picasso at 5 feet 8 inches and a 70-inch reach.
That gave Picasso a three-inch height advantage and a 2.5-inch reach advantage.
However, those physical advantages did not prevent Inoue from controlling distance and dictating the pace.
Experience and Championship Background
Inoue entered the bout with extensive championship experience across multiple weight divisions. He had already become a world champion in four weight classes and had achieved undisputed status in two divisions.
Picasso was considerably younger and entered the fight without a professional loss. The matchup therefore represented one of the biggest tests of his career.
Tip:
When evaluating a boxing matchup, physical size is only one factor. Experience, timing, distance control, punch selection, and defensive reactions can have an equally important impact.
How Inoue Beat Picasso
Speed and Timing
One of the biggest differences in the fight was Inoue’s ability to control exchanges with timing and speed.
Rather than constantly rushing forward, Inoue repeatedly used his jab, counters, and combinations to make Picasso react.
The Ring reported that Inoue’s sharp jab and bursts of power punching helped keep Picasso from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm.
Picasso had moments where he attempted to create openings, but he struggled to produce enough sustained offense to change the direction of the fight.
Body Work
Inoue’s body punching was another important part of his strategy.
CompuBox recorded 96 body punches landed by Inoue, compared with 66 by Picasso. Inoue’s body attacks were part of a broader offensive approach that included both jabs and power shots.
Body work can be particularly useful against a taller opponent because it can make the fighter lower his guard and create opportunities upstairs.
Punch Volume and Accuracy
The statistical difference was substantial.
Inoue landed 328 total punches from 790 thrown, while Picasso landed 170 from 485. That gave Inoue a significant advantage in both volume and overall production.
The numbers also show that Inoue did not need a knockout to control the fight. His consistent scoring allowed him to build a wide advantage over 12 rounds.
Important:
Inoue’s victory was based on sustained control and scoring rather than one decisive knockout moment.
Inoue vs Picasso Punch Stats
The CompuBox numbers provide a useful picture of how the fight developed.
| Punch Category | Inoue | Picasso |
|---|---|---|
| Total landed | 328 | 170 |
| Total thrown | 790 | 485 |
| Jabs landed | 161 | 63 |
| Power punches landed | 167 | 107 |
| Body punches landed | 96 | 66 |
Inoue landed 158 more total punches than Picasso. He also held a 161-63 advantage in jabs and a 167-107 advantage in power punches.
The Ring reported that Inoue averaged approximately 27 punches landed per round, compared with about 14 per round for Picasso.
Total Punches
Inoue’s 328 landed punches were almost double Picasso’s 170.
That difference helps explain why the judges produced such wide scorecards.
Jabs and Power Punches
The jab numbers were especially notable.
Inoue landed 161 jabs compared with 63 for Picasso. That gave him a strong foundation for controlling range and setting up his combinations.
He also landed 167 power punches, 60 more than Picasso’s 107.
Body Punches
The body-punch numbers also favored Inoue.
His 96 landed body punches compared with Picasso’s 66 showed that the champion was not relying exclusively on head shots.
The combination of body attacks, jabs, and power punches helped Inoue maintain control without taking unnecessary risks.
Why Picasso Could Not Turn His Size Advantage Into a Win
Picasso entered the fight with clear physical advantages.
He was taller and had a longer reach, which theoretically gave him tools for fighting at long range.
However, having a reach advantage does not automatically mean a fighter will control distance.
Inoue’s timing allowed him to enter and exit exchanges effectively while limiting Picasso’s opportunities to establish a sustained attack.
Picasso also had difficulty matching Inoue’s punch output. The CompuBox figures show a large gap in landed punches, especially with the jab.
Still, Picasso deserves credit for lasting all 12 rounds against an elite champion. The WBC described him as showing toughness and resourcefulness despite being unable to neutralize Inoue’s speed and body work.
What the Inoue vs Picasso Fight Means for Both Fighters
For Inoue, the victory added another successful defense to an already extensive championship résumé.
The WBC reported that the win moved him to 32-0 with 27 knockouts after the bout.
For Picasso, the fight ended his undefeated record. He moved to 32-1-1, with the defeat being the first of his professional career.
The result also showed that Picasso could compete for 12 rounds against one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation, even though the judges and punch statistics showed a clear advantage for Inoue.
The fight was also notable because Inoue went the distance. The Ring reported that this was the first time in his career that he had been extended the distance in back-to-back fights.
That does not change the official result, but it is an interesting part of the fight’s statistical context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Inoue vs Picasso?
Naoya Inoue defeated Alan David Picasso by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111 for Inoue.
What was the Inoue vs Picasso scorecard?
The official scorecards were 120-108, 119-109, and 117-111, all in favor of Naoya Inoue.
Did Inoue knock out Picasso?
No. Inoue did not score a knockout. He won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. Picasso survived the entire fight.
What were Inoue and Picasso’s records after the fight?
After the bout, Inoue’s record was reported as 32-0 with 27 knockouts, while Picasso moved to 32-1-1 with 17 knockouts.
Where did Inoue vs Picasso take place?
The fight was held at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 27, 2025.
Was Inoue vs Picasso for the undisputed title?
Yes. Inoue entered the bout as the undisputed super bantamweight champion, and he retained his championship status with the unanimous decision victory.
Conclusion
Inoue vs Picasso ended with Naoya Inoue maintaining his position as undisputed super bantamweight champion through a dominant 12-round unanimous decision.
The official scores-120-108, 119-109, and 117-111 showed the judges’ view of the fight, while the CompuBox statistics provided additional context. Inoue landed 328 punches to Picasso’s 170, including major advantages in jabs, power punches, and body shots.
Picasso entered the contest undefeated and had advantages in height and reach, but Inoue’s timing, accuracy, movement, and sustained punch output allowed him to control the bout.
For Inoue, the victory extended his unbeaten record and championship reign. For Picasso, it was his first professional defeat but also a full 12-round test against an elite champion.
