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Naoya Inoue vs. Alan Picasso Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
At 32, Naoya Inoue is having his busiest year since 2013.
‘The Monster’ will now look for his fourth defense of his undisputed super bantamweight world championship this year when he clashes with Alan Picasso in the Ring V headliner later today. It all takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
After crushing Kim Ye-joon with a fourth-round knockout in January and overcoming a knockdown to finish Ramon Cardenas via eighth-round TKO in May, Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) outpointed Murodjon Akhmadaliev toward a unanimous decision in September. Meanwhile, Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs) outpointed Kyonosuke Kameda for a majority decision in July as his sole action of the year.
Will Inoue dazzle yet again in crushing Picasso to set up a potential mega clash with Junto Nakatani? Or will Picasso play the ultimate spoiler in what would mark a massive upset? With the anticipation building, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for the undisputed ruler and his challenger for Ring V.
Naoya Inoue’s Keys to Victory
Laser lefts to split Picasso’s guard
Alan Picasso does not have the best head movement, often keeping his cranium on the center line a bit too long.
That should give Naoya Inoue the green light to feast with laser lefts that split the Mexican’s guard, racking up points and rounds for ‘The Monster.’
Target the body, then use the punch as a distraction
Due to Picasso’s wiry 5-foot-8 build, Inoue might be aided by stabbing to the body early.
If Inoue could get Picasso to bite on his power to the midsection and lower his arms just a bit, ‘The Monster’ could start using the body shot as more of a distraction to land something that much more devastating upstairs.
Inoue has the superior hand speed to make a combination like this wreak havoc.
Beat Picasso to the punch with hand speed and footwork
With 70 inches of reach, Picasso sometimes telegraphs his right hook, giving Inoue the opportunity to beat him to the punch with a rapid left hook across the jaw.
Superior hand speed and footwork will only help Inoue in executing this punch that much more, possibly to another rousing win.
Alan Picasso’s Keys to Victory
Make early deposits to the body
Alan Picasso manages to leverage hard impact when torquing shots to the body.
These blows are something Picasso should sit on and quickly unleash early in hopes of hindering some of Naoya Inoue’s movement.
As long as he could make these deposits without falling victim to an Inoue counterpunch, Picasso should load up on them.
Crank the uppercut
With his 70-inch reach, Picasso can possibly make things really interesting if he finds a home with his uppercuts.
Cranking them up the turnpike could manage to shock ‘The Monster.’ Perhaps these shots could also be used to thwart an impending onslaught from the champ.
Time an overhand counter left
It is the shot that both Ramon Cardenas and Luis Nery used to drop Inoue with a flash knockdown.
Picasso ought to unload with the overhand counter left as well.
If he could time the shot aptly, could we see a new undisputed king at super bantamweight?
Watch Ring V Inoue vs. Picasso on DAZN PPV
Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso headline the Ring V fight night, exclusively on DAZN PPV this Saturday, December 27.
Purchase as a one-off PPV, or get included at no extra cost with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.
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