Inoue and Nakatani Set for Separate Showdowns on Star-Studded Saudi Arabia Card

Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, two of Japan’s most celebrated boxing stars, are slated to appear in separate bouts on a high-profile boxing card scheduled for December 27 at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event, dubbed "The Ring V: Night of the Samurai," will be streamed globally on DAZN and features a six-fight lineup, highlighted by Inoue’s defense of his undisputed super bantamweight title and Nakatani’s debut in the same division.

Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs), fresh off a dominant victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev, will put his four belts on the line against Mexico’s David Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs). The bout marks Inoue’s fourth fight of the year, a testament to his activity following his historic achievement of unifying all four major titles in the super bantamweight division.

Picasso, the WBC’s No. 1 contender, earned his title shot with a majority decision win over Kyonosuke Kameda in July, a victory that solidified his position as a legitimate threat to Inoue’s reign. Despite his undefeated record, Picasso faces a significant step up in competition against Inoue, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

The co-main event will see Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) make his highly anticipated super bantamweight debut against another undefeated fighter, Sebastian Hernandez Reyes (20-0, 18 KOs). Nakatani’s decision to move up in weight follows his relinquishing of the unified bantamweight title, a move that has fueled speculation about a potential future clash with Inoue.

Nakatani has been dominant in his two fights this year, securing stoppage victories over Ryosuke Nishida and David Cuellar Contreras. His transition to the super bantamweight division is seen as a strategic move to position himself for bigger fights and potentially challenge Inoue for supremacy in the division.

Reyes, a fellow undefeated Mexican fighter, represents a stern test for Nakatani in his 122-pound debut. Reyes has also been active in 2025, and will be entering his third fight of the year.

Adding further intrigue to the card is a third title fight, featuring IBF super flyweight champion Willibaldo Garcia Perez (23-6-2, 13 KOs) defending his title against unified flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji. Teraji (27-1, 15 KOs), a two-division world champion, is aiming to capture a title in a third weight class, further enhancing his legacy in the sport.

Perez, a seasoned veteran, will be looking to retain his title and disrupt Teraji’s ambition of becoming a three-division champion. Perez has held the title since defeating Jerwin Ancajas by split decision in January of 2025, and then successfully defended the title with a unanimous decision win over Fernando Martinez in June.

The undercard also features several intriguing matchups, including Taiga Imanaga vs. Armando Martinez, Reito Tsutsumi vs. Leobardo Quintana, and Hayato Tsutsumi vs. James Dickens. These fights showcase a mix of established contenders and rising prospects, adding depth to the overall event.

The "Night of the Samurai" card is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investment in boxing, with the Kingdom aiming to establish itself as a major hub for the sport. The event follows a series of high-profile boxing events held in Saudi Arabia in recent years, including the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, and the recent fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.

The decision to host such a star-studded card in Saudi Arabia underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to attracting top-tier sporting events and further solidifying its position on the global boxing stage. The event is expected to draw a large international audience, both in person and through DAZN’s streaming platform.

For Inoue, the fight against Picasso represents another opportunity to showcase his exceptional talent and further cement his status as one of the sport’s elite fighters. Inoue’s combination of speed, power, and technical skill has made him a formidable force in the ring, and he is widely expected to emerge victorious against Picasso.

However, Picasso is determined to pull off a major upset and dethrone Inoue, a victory that would catapult him to the top of the super bantamweight division. Picasso’s aggressive style and relentless pressure could pose a challenge to Inoue, and he will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the champion’s defense.

Nakatani’s super bantamweight debut is also a highly anticipated event, with many observers eager to see how he performs in his new weight class. Nakatani’s height and reach advantage could prove to be significant assets in the super bantamweight division, and he is expected to quickly establish himself as a major contender.

Reyes, however, will be looking to spoil Nakatani’s debut and prove that he is a force to be reckoned with in the super bantamweight division. Reyes’ undefeated record and impressive knockout percentage suggest that he possesses the power and skill to compete at the highest level.

The "Night of the Samurai" card promises to be an action-packed event, with several high-stakes fights and intriguing matchups. The event is a testament to the growing popularity of boxing in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s commitment to attracting top-tier sporting events.

With Inoue and Nakatani headlining the card, the event is sure to draw a large international audience and further solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a major hub for the sport. The outcomes of these fights could have significant implications for the future of the super bantamweight division, and boxing fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see who emerges victorious.

The potential future clash between Inoue and Nakatani looms large over both of their upcoming bouts. While both fighters must first overcome their respective opponents in Riyadh, the prospect of a showdown between the two Japanese stars has captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide. Such a fight would not only be a major event in Japan but would also have global appeal, given the widespread recognition and respect that both fighters have earned.

Inoue’s dominance and Nakatani’s impressive rise have set the stage for a potential clash that could define an era in Japanese boxing. However, both fighters are aware that they cannot afford to look past their immediate opponents, as a loss for either fighter would derail any plans for a future showdown.

The "Night of the Samurai" card represents a significant moment for Japanese boxing, with two of its brightest stars showcasing their talents on a global stage. The event also underscores the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in the sport, as the Kingdom continues to invest heavily in attracting top-tier boxing events and establishing itself as a major player in the boxing world.

As the December 27 event approaches, boxing fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these high-stakes fights and the potential implications for the future of the sport.