Naoya Inoue returns to then ring tonight when he takes on David Picasso in Saudi Arabia on a card which features some of the best Japanese boxing talent
Christmas might be over but the boxing is still coming thick and fast.
Naoya Inoue returns to the ring this afternoon as he defends his super-bantamweight world titles for the fourth time this year. Inoue, who remains unbeaten after 31 fights, takes on David Picasso in Saudi Arabia later today with Picasso looking to become world champion for the first time in his career.
Inoue will be a short-priced favourite to retain his titles on a card stacked with the best Japanese and Mexican talent from across the boxing spectrum. One fight which was scrapped from the card was Jazza Dickens’ maiden world title defence after his opponent Hayato Tsutsumi suffered an injury. Nevertheless, here is everything you need to know about today’s fights…
What UK time is Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso?
Naoya Inoue and David Picasso will walk to the ring between 1pm and 1.30pm UK time this afternoon. The fight is early because it is being held in Japan. The first fight of the night is expected to start at around 9am UK time, but all fight times are subject to change depending on how long the undercard takes to complete.
How to watch Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso in UK
Watch Inoue vs Picasso live on DAZN
The Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso fight is set for Saturday, December 27, as part of Ring V: Night of the Samurai.
Fans can order the full fight card on DAZN PPV for £19.99 or watch it free with a DAZN Ultimate plan.
Undercard and fight card
- Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso
- Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez
- Willibaldo Garcia vs Kenshiro Teraji
- Taiga Imanaga vs Eridson Garcia
- Reito Tsutsumi vs Leobardo Quintana Sanchez
Quotes corner
Naoya Inoue: “I’m going to show you Picasso’s style; my style to adjust to Picasso. My impression is he’s a very aggressive fighter, so it’s not going to be an easy fight, but I’ll do my best. First, I need to concentrate on the upcoming match with Picasso. Then, followed by the big match scheduled next year. Then, after that, I need to talk to my team about what we’re going to do next – step by step, we’ll discuss that within the team.
“This bout is going to be really important for my future – and how I fight it will be crucial to becoming pound-for-pound No. 1. So, I will give 100 per cent. I promise you that there is no chance that my belts are going back with him [Alan Picasso] to Mexico. This is a critical fight in the super-bantamweight division, which you will see on Saturday. I am ready. All the Japanese fighters here have a high skillset and their mentality is very strong. That is proven and we will all fight good fights – and we plan to go home [to Japan] with good victories.”
David Picasso: “The intention is to go, to appreciate Inoue’s power and prowess in person and see what we have in front of us. There’s no secret weapon to beating Inoue. I’m never going to pretend I know it all. It’s all about learning, growing and that’s what I aim to do. I do have some weapons from the longer range, being able to go to the body to hurt Inoue. It’s a matter of harnessing those lessons and skills moving forward.
“It will not be the ’Night of the Samurai’ – it is going to be an Azteca night. We represent Mexico and every single fighter who is here fighting for Mexico on this card, we are doing it for our people. We do it because of the blood running inside our bodies. I’ve been working and working so hard for this moment. I have run thousands of kilometres. I am so proud of the job I have done – and bringing those belts to Mexico would make my country so proud, so I will not let them down.”
