Naoya Inoue Demolishes Alan Picasso in Round 6 TKO to Retain Undisputed Super Bantamweight Titles at Riyadh’s Night of the Samurai

The Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, trembled with thunderous applause on December 27, 2025, as Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) with a clinical sixth-round TKO over Alan Picasso in the headliner of the “Night of the Samurai” card. Inoue’s surgical precision and devastating power overwhelmed Picasso’s reach advantage, dropping the Mexican challenger twice before referee Luis Pabon stepped in at 2:15 of the sixth, marking Inoue’s 28th knockout in 32 wins. Aired live on DAZN PPV starting at 10:00 p.m. ET after prelims on DAZN, the bout shattered viewership records, earning X acclaim with @BadLeftHook dubbing it “The Monster’s mercy rule—Picasso crumbles.” Riyadh’s lavish fight-week spectacle, featuring a 15,000-capacity sellout amid Turki Alalshikh’s samurai-themed extravaganza and Kingdom Centre fan zones, cemented this as a defining Riyadh Season moment for the 122-pound division, blending Inoue’s dominance with Picasso’s valiant stand.

Fight Overview

Inoue vs. Picasso capped the “Night of the Samurai” main card at Mohammed Abdo Arena, kicking off at 10:00 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV after undercard action at 7:00 p.m. ET. Slated for around 12:30 a.m. ET, the stakes were monumental: Inoue, 32, defended his undisputed reign for the fifth time overall post his September 2025 UD over Murodjon Akhmadaliev, while 24-year-old Picasso made his mandatory challenge as WBC #1. DraftKings odds pegged Inoue at -1100 favorite, with Picasso at +600 drawing upset value on distance. X framed it as “Monster vs. Matador,” with @RingMagazine posting, “Inoue’s pressure vs. Picasso’s jab—Riyadh’s samurai slaughter?” The 15,000 fans, hyped by Alalshikh’s pressers and cultural fusions like katana ceremonies, created a global fever. X polls leaned 78% toward Inoue early stoppage, per @BoxingNews24.

Naoya Inoue The 32-year-old from Zama, Japan, entered with a 31-0 record (27 KOs), orthodox at 5’5″ with a 67-inch reach. “The Monster” averages 8.2 significant punches per round at 62% accuracy (Compubox), undisputed since unifying against Stephen Fulton in 2023. His fourth fight of 2025 showcased resilience despite a grueling schedule; training at Ohashi Gym, X clips revealed body-head feints with father Shingo. His 87% KO rate and P4P #1 status make him untouchable, with @TeikenBoxing tweeting, “Inoue’s legacy grows—Picasso’s test.”

Alan Picasso The 24-year-old from Mexicali, Mexico, carried a 32-0-1 record (17 KOs), orthodox at 5’8″ with a 70-inch reach. The undefeated contender lands 6.5 jabs per round at 58% accuracy (Compubox), ranked WBC #1 after a July 2025 TKO of Sabelo Ngebinyana. Aligned with Sean Gibbons, X footage showed distance drills with Eddy Reynoso. @WBCBoxing noted, “Picasso’s +600 is reach gamble.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Riyadh ignites as Inoue stalks with feints, using angles to close Picasso’s 3-inch reach edge. Alan jabs at 1:15, but Inoue lands a body shot at 2:30, reddening Picasso’s ribs. Compubox: Inoue 32/50 to Picasso’s 20/40. @DAZNBoxing scores 10-9 Inoue.

Round 2-3: Picasso boxes smartly in Round 2, landing 28/45 jabs to frustrate Inoue. The Monster answers with a left hook in Round 3 at 0:45, snapping Picasso’s head. Picasso’s eye swells at 2:15. Scores 19-19.

Round 4: Inoue erupts, dropping Picasso with a right cross at 1:50—first knockdown. Alan rises at 7, but Inoue’s volume (35/55) dominates. 10-8 Inoue.

Round 5: Picasso survives on clinches, landing 18/35, but Inoue’s body work (25 landed) slows him. 10-9 Inoue.

Round 6: Inoue seals it—a straight left at 0:45 floors Picasso again. Alan beats the count, but a barrage at 2:15 forces the stoppage. Compubox: Inoue 180/320 (56%) to Picasso’s 95/280 (34%). TKO for Inoue.

Key Moments and Impact

Inoue’s Precision: 180/320 punches (56% accuracy) dismantled Picasso, with 45 body shots breaking resolve. @RingMagazine: “Monster unchained—28th KO.” Picasso’s Jab Game: Early 58/125 jabs (46%) bought time, but 34% overall couldn’t stem the tide. Fan Reaction: The 15,000 chanted “Inoue!” post-knockdown; X polls 85% predicted under 6.5 rounds. Cut Impact: Picasso’s eye welt from Round 3 impaired vision, absorbing 7.8 per round.

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

Inoue, now 32-0 (28 KOs), vowed, “Nakatani in 2026—Japan’s superfight!” His sixth defense nets $20M purse, 90% KO rate P4P elite; tune-up quells burnout talk. Picasso, 32-1-1, resilient: “Inoue’s the best; I’ll climb back.” First loss tempers hype, rematch unlikely. Super bantamweight awaits Nakatani clash, Murodjon Akhmadaliev lurking.

Event Context and Riyadh Atmosphere

“Night of the Samurai” delivered: Nakatani TKO’d Hernandez co-main, Teraji UD over Garcia; 70% stoppages thrilled. Alalshikh’s fusions, Burj fireworks; @RiyadhSeason: “Samurai supremacy.” DAZN PPV peaked at 2M buys.

What’s Next?

Inoue eyes Nakatani unification in March 2026 Tokyo. Picasso rebuilds at 122. This Riyadh rout extends the Monster’s myth.

On December 27, 2025, Naoya Inoue TKO’d Alan Picasso in Round 6, power preserving undisputed glory amid Abdo Arena roars. Precision primes Nakatani epic, as super bantamweight legends brew.