Naoya Inoue vs. David Alan Picasso | RING V - December 27, 2025

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Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso targeted for June 14th in Las Vegas

Naoya Inoue will reportedly face WBC no. 1 Alan Picasso this June in the second of four planned fights this year

The Ring’s Keith Idec reported yesterday that Naoya Inoue’s next three bouts would see him face WBC mandatory Alan Picasso this June in Las Vegas before a September homecoming and December Riyadh Season debut, both opposite TBA. Now, Salvador Rodriguez brings word that Inoue vs Picasso is targeted for June 14th.

Inoue (29-0, 26 KO) hasn’t fought in the States since a two-fight stint saw him take out Jason Moloney in 2020 and Michael Dasmarinas eight months later, a series that came about when COVID scrapped a planned showdown with John Riel Casimero. His last bout in January saw him demolish late replacement Ye Joon Kim, who stepped in with Sam Goodman pulled out for the second time in a month.

A five-fight 2024 saw Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KO) dispatch four limited opponents and, more notably, veteran Azat Hovhannisyan in a WBC final eliminator in August. He’s got skills and a fan-friendly, high-volume approach, but ostensibly lacks the stopping power to go toe-to-toe with “The Monster.”

That’s not a knock on him, of course. His great sin is sharing a generation with Inoue.

There is one potential wrench in the gears, though, and that’s WBA mandatory Murodjon Akhmadaliev. “MJ” has quite clearly been in the queue longer than Picasso by virtue of beating Kevin Gonzalez two Decembers ago. Any sanctioning body worth its salt would force Inoue to either fight him next or pay a step-aside fee, but unfortunately for Akhmadaliev, he’s stuck with the WBA.

If there’s a consolation prize, it’s that Akhmadaliev will probably get a significantly higher payday by waiting until Turki controls the purse strings.

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https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/naoya- ... udi-arabia

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[gregregegg]

Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso targeted for June 14th in Las Vegas

Naoya Inoue will reportedly face WBC no. 1 Alan Picasso this June in the second of four planned fights this year

The Ring’s Keith Idec reported yesterday that Naoya Inoue’s next three bouts would see him face WBC mandatory Alan Picasso this June in Las Vegas before a September homecoming and December Riyadh Season debut, both opposite TBA. Now, Salvador Rodriguez brings word that Inoue vs Picasso is targeted for June 14th.

Inoue (29-0, 26 KO) hasn’t fought in the States since a two-fight stint saw him take out Jason Moloney in 2020 and Michael Dasmarinas eight months later, a series that came about when COVID scrapped a planned showdown with John Riel Casimero. His last bout in January saw him demolish late replacement Ye Joon Kim, who stepped in with Sam Goodman pulled out for the second time in a month.

A five-fight 2024 saw Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KO) dispatch four limited opponents and, more notably, veteran Azat Hovhannisyan in a WBC final eliminator in August. He’s got skills and a fan-friendly, high-volume approach, but ostensibly lacks the stopping power to go toe-to-toe with “The Monster.”

That’s not a knock on him, of course. His great sin is sharing a generation with Inoue.

There is one potential wrench in the gears, though, and that’s WBA mandatory Murodjon Akhmadaliev. “MJ” has quite clearly been in the queue longer than Picasso by virtue of beating Kevin Gonzalez two Decembers ago. Any sanctioning body worth its salt would force Inoue to either fight him next or pay a step-aside fee, but unfortunately for Akhmadaliev, he’s stuck with the WBA.

If there’s a consolation prize, it’s that Akhmadaliev will probably get a significantly higher payday by waiting until Turki controls the purse strings.

MJ lost his spot in the line when he lost… and what’s he done since then? Beat a couple of D class fighters (that’s being generous but I don’t wanna call anyone anything lower…)

As for the consolation prize…. For Saudi Will Turky want inoue vs MJ…. Or inoue vs nick ball…. I actually think the latter.

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Forgetful fight

[margaret thatcher]

not happening

picasso is pretty good btw, but this type of jump in class wouldnt go well for him

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David Picasso poised for another crack at Naoya Inoue by aligning with Sean Gibbons

The unbeaten WBC top-ranked junior featherweight contender David Picasso of Mexico has joined the man with the Midas Touch: advisor Sean Gibbons of Knuckleheads Boxing, the COO of Manny Pacquiao’s Promotions.

Immediately, Gibbons told Boxing Scene Monday that victories by both Picasso – on the card of Pacquiao’s July 19 return against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios – and undisputed 122lbs champion Naoya Inoue in his September 14 defense against Murodjon “M.J.” Akhmadaliev will create an Inoue-Picasso showdown in December in Saudi Arabia.

Gibbons also represents former champions Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Mark Magsayo on the Pacquiao card.

Additionally, Gibbons has directed four other fighters to recent titles or successful defenses, including IBF 130lbs champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez, IBF junior-bantamweight champion Willibaldo Garcia, IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran and new WBC interim flyweight champion Francisco Rodriguez.

“I’m very excited to work with David Picasso. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the biggest names in Mexican boxing, and David is close to fighting for the [Inoue belts], and I’m very happy to help him to reach his dream,” Gibbons said.

Gibbons told BS he’s thankful to Premier Boxing Champions head Al Haymon for placing Picasso, 31-0-1 (17 KOs), on the July 19 card against an opponent to be named soon after another scheduled foe from Japan fell off.

Gibbons’ work in directing more than a dozen Mexican fighters to world titles has allowed him to beef up his stable in recent years, and the streak of recent victories emboldens his push with Picasso.

“Inoue has two guys left to fight that are the best in his division, Akhmadaliev and Picasso,” Gibbons said.

Picasso was in play to be Inoue’s May 4 opponent before negotiations unraveled and four-division champion Inoue 30-0, (27 KOs), proceeded to fight Ramon Cardenas, who scored a knockdown before getting stopped in the eighth round.

The opportunity is coming back around. Ring magazine recently released a clip on social media of its owner and boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh saying “On 27 of December, we are close to finish[ing] Inoue and Picasso as main event.”

“My team and I are very happy to start working with Sean Gibbons. One of my idols is Manny Pacquiao, and being with Sean is the chance to be with Manny,” Picasso said. “I met Sean some years ago, and he was very honest and humble with me. Destiny gives us this opportunity to work together. He will be important in the next steps of my career, and now we are family.”

[margaret thatcher]

picasso isnt bad but the mj fight gotta happen first, which it looks like it will tbf

[Sendo Takeshi]

Did he finally grow some balls after Inoue said he was going to stay in that weight class?

Probably was hoping for a vacant title shot after ducking the last fight.

[joshj909]

I still think he should only have 3/4 more fights in the division before moving up. Turki needs to make the rest fight each other to establish proper contenders rather than just focusing on the championship fight. Inoue should face MJ, Picasso and Nakatani while Turki should have Casimero, Vazquez and Hernandez fight it out for the final shot before Inoue moves up on final division.

[gregregegg]

If this is in addition to MJ it is potentialy a bit over confident, but really nice.

They should put nakatani vs the other inoue on the undercard… that way if nakatani can win it sets up nayos revenge.

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NAOYA INOUE-DAVID PICASSO TARGETED TO HEADLINE JAPAN VS. MEXICO CARD DEC. 27 IN RIYADH

Naoya Inoue’s first fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is already being lined up.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh revealed he wants “The Monster” to face David Picasso on Dec. 27 as the headliner to a Riyadh Season card. Alalshikh added that he plans for that card to be Japan vs Mexico, leading the way for other intriguing matchups to be made on the same night.

“In December, we have The Monster,“ Alalshikh said. “The real monster. On December 27, we have Inoue. We are close to finishing Inoue against Picasso as the main event. The card will be built as the biggest fights between Japan and Mexico.”

Picasso was originally eyed for May 4 in Las Vegas to compete for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight title, but the fight never came to fruition and Ramon Cardenas stepped in to face "The Monster." They delivered one of the best fights of 2025, as Cardenas dropped Inoue late in the second round. Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) took back control of the fight, dropping Cardenas in the seventh before stopping him a round later.

Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) last fought on Dec. 14, knocking out Yehison Cuello in the third round.

Inoue must first get past MJ Akhmadaliev on Sept. 14 in Japan. Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs), the interim WBA junior featherweight champion, has won three straight fights and defeated Luis Castillo by eighth-round stoppage on May 30 in Mexico.

Outside of Inoue vs Picasso, other intriguing fights could make the Japan vs Mexico card a great one on paper. Francisco Rodriguez Jr.’s dominant win over Galal Yafai on Saturday made him the interim WBC flyweight champion, which could line him up to face unified WBA and WBC flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji if he decides not to move up to junior bantamweight. Unified IBF and WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs), making his junior featherweight debut against Cardenas (26-2-1, 14 KOs), would also fit the bill.

And if Inoue and Nakatani were to fight on Dec. 27 and win their respective fights, that’d set the table for the two Japanese stars to fight each other in 2026 in one of the best fights that can be made and the biggest boxing match in Japan’s history.

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Wat other fights could we see?

Junto Nakatani vs Ramon Cardenas

Kenshiro Teraji vs “Bam” Rodriguez

Tenshin Nasukawa vs Jose Salas Reyes

[gregregegg]

Inoue vs Picasso 122

Nakatani vs neiry 122

Inoues brother vs Estrada 118

Nakano Vs Espinoza 126

It’s a banger card… and depending on the results can find inoue some future opponents.

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This has been announced now

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ANNOUNCED: The Ring V: Night of the Samurai headlined by Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso is set to take place as part of Riyadh Season on Dec 27th at Mohammed Abdo Arena on DAZN.

Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso
Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez
Kenshiro Teraji vs Willibaldo Garcia
Taiga Imanaga vs Armando Martinez
Reito Tsutsumi vs Leobardo Quintana
Hayato Tsutsumi vs James Dickens

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[Sendo Takeshi]

This is gonna be a fun card.
Hernandez is a dangerous fight for Nakatani. With a 90% knockout percentage and a good chin, he could easily be the kind of build-up fight that goes wrong.

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Junto Nakatani moves to clear a path to Naoya Inoue

Junto Nakatani has officially vacated his WBC and IBF bantamweight titles as he pursues a megafight with Japanese rival Naoya Inoue.

The two stars will appear in separate bouts on the same card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 27 on a stacked bill titled The Ring V: Night of the Samurai.

Nakatani, moving up to junior featherweight where Inoue reigns supreme, will face Mexican Sebastian Hernandez, while Inoue meets David Picasso.

Further bouts see Kenshiro Teraji up against Willibaldo Garcia, featherweight Reito Tsutsumi, 26-2 (5 KOs), against Leonardo Quintana, 11-1 (5 KOs), Taiga Imanaga, 9-0 (5 KOs), versus Armando Martinez, 16-0 (15 KOs), at lightweight and gifted junior lightweight Hayato Tsutsumi, 8-0 (5 KOs), against Liverpool veteran Jazza Dickens, who is 36-5 (15 KOs).

Inoue is 31-0 (27 KOs) and fresh off a commanding victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev last weekend in Nagoya. His challenger, Picasso, is 32-0-1 (17 KOs), and he’s been in the frame for Inoue for more than a year.

Teraji, 25-2 (16 KOs), lost his flyweight belt to Ricardo Sandoval in July, while Mexican veteran Garcia is 23-6-2 (13 KOs), and Teraji will fight for the vacant IBF championship at junior bantamweight, after Sandoval defeated rival Rene Calixto Bibiano in May in their rematch.

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Ring V: Naoya Inoue-Alan Picasso Tops Six-Fight Riyadh Card On Dec. 27

Naoya Inoue had barely finished making Murodjon Akhmadaliev look ordinary, before turning his attentions towards the end of the year and sowing seeds before a potential Junto Nakatani megafight in early 2026.

The undisputed junior featherweight champion, third on The Ring's pound-for-pound list behind fellow undisputed beltholders Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk, is set for his most active calendar year in more than a decade.

WBC light heavyweight titleholder David Benavidez will make his Riyadh Season debut in November and another pound-for-pound star will grace Saudi shores the following month.

The last time he was this busy came in 2013, where a string of impressive wins earned him a shot at the WBC junior flyweight crown. Now a four-weight world champion 12 years later, Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) will face the third unbeaten foe of his career.

The Ring V: Night of the Samurai will take place at Riyadh's 22,000-seater Mohammed Abdo Arena and be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

Mexico's Alan David Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs) is the assignment for 'The Monster', after the 25-year-old kicked off his 2025 campaign with a 10-round majority decision win over Inoue's compatriot Kyonosuke Kameda on July 19.

Ring and unified WBC/IBF bantamweight titleholder Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) has been clear about facing Inoue in an all-Japanese showdown of unbeaten champions and is expected to vacate his 118-pound belts in confirming he'll move up in weight again.

After dismantling Ryosuke Nishida last time out in June, he'll face a third consecutive unbeaten opponent in Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs).

The 24-year-old made a name for himself in Mexico before venturing stateside, where he's now based in San Diego, California, and pitched contrasting wins over Yonfrez Parejo and Azat Hovhannisyan on Bob Arum-promoted shows over the last year.

Elsewhere on a busy undercard packed with championship action, former two-weight world champion Kenshiro Teraji will look to bounce back from a split decision upset defeat by Ricardo Rafael Sandoval to lose his WBC/WBA belts on July 30.

The 33-year-old will move up in weight to challenge IBF ruler Willibaldo Garcia (23-6-2, 13 KOs) at 115-pounds after the 35-year-old's two-fight series with Rene Calixto Bibiano saw them closely matched after 24 rounds together in six months.

Ring champion Jesse Rodriguez faces Fernando Martinez in a three-belt unification the month prior as part of a stacked Ring IV card, so it'll be interesting to see how Teraji looks physically up another division after barely a year campaigning at flyweight.

Big things are expected of Japanese lightweight Taiga Imanaga (9-0, 5 KOs) and he'll mirror Inoue's turnaround between fights after sharing the bill last weekend in Nagoya.

He won the JBC 135-pound crown with a one-sided points win over Yudai Murakami (6-3-1) and will face Cuba's Florida-based contender Armando Martinez (16-0, 15 KOs), no doubt seeking to seize his No. 4 world ranking with the WBA at a time where the divisional landscape remains uncertain as champions assess lucrative options elsewhere.

The Tsutsumi brothers, both Ring Magazine ambassadors, will seek to finish 2025 strong.

Reito (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a first-round finish of Javier Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford undercard last weekend and now faces a considerable step-up in Leobardo Quintana (11-1, 5 KOs). His Mexican agemate has boxed 55 more rounds and been a pro since 2022, while another who turned pro three years ago has earned a maiden world title shot too.

Hayato (8-0, 5 KOs) didn't put a foot wrong en route to an inevitably destructive third-round finish against seasoned pro Qais Ashfaq on the Moses Itauma-Dillian Whyte undercard in August and next, he'll face an in-form Jazza Dickens (36-5, 15 KOs) after the Liverpudlian stunned Albert Batyrgaziev to win the WBA's 130-pound interim title in July.

[Evander]

Inoue is good
Who will be that opponent that takes him over the top ?

[gilgamesh]

Inoue is good
Who will be that opponent that takes him over the top ?

There isn't one. There's no names anywhere near his weight class. He's a name amongst no names.

Inoue vs Nakatani is a Megafight in Japan. Biggest Fight ever in that weight class financially speaking quite possibly anywhere in the world. So that's probably his biggest fight.

[Evander]

Inoue is good
Who will be that opponent that takes him over the top ?

There isn't one. There's no names anywhere near his weight class. He's a name amongst no names.

Inoue vs Nakatani is a Megafight in Japan. Biggest Fight ever in that weight class financially speaking quite possibly anywhere in the world. So that's probably his biggest fight.

What about Nick Ball

[gilgamesh]

Inoue is good
Who will be that opponent that takes him over the top ?

There isn't one. There's no names anywhere near his weight class. He's a name amongst no names.

Inoue vs Nakatani is a Megafight in Japan. Biggest Fight ever in that weight class financially speaking quite possibly anywhere in the world. So that's probably his biggest fight.

What about Nick Ball

What about him?


There's really only been like 1 or 2 significant Featherweight eras in Boxing history. This isn't one of them.