Is Naoya Inoue Slipping? Turki Alalshikh’s December 27th Plan For Picasso Fight Follows Tough Bout Against Ramon Cardenas

Turki Alalshikh says he’s planning for Naoya Inoue to defend his undisputed super bantamweight championship against #1 WBC Alan Picasso on December 27th in the main event. He says all the bouts on the card would be “big fights” between Japanese and Mexican fighters.

Inoue vs. Picasso: Fight Analysis

There’s not much interest in Inoue defending against the 24-year-old Picasso (31-0,-1 17 KOs) in December or any time in the future. Picasso appears to be another example of a fighter with a 100% inflated resume, who shouldn’t be ranked anywhere near the #1 spot.

Of course, this is the WBC, so it makes sense when you consider the entire picture. In reality, Picasso is a bottom-level contender talent-wise.

For Turki’s vision to take place, ‘Monster’ Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) still needs to win his next fight against WBA interim 122-lb champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev on September 14th in Tokyo, Japan.

Inoue’s Age Showing?

It’s not a given that Inoue, 32, will be victorious because we saw him get dropped hard in the second round in his last fight against Ramon Cardenas on May 4th in Las Vegas. Naoya took a lot of big shots from Cardenas, and might have been knocked out if Ramon hadn’t kept retreating to the ropes to take rest breaks.

The fight showed that Inoue’s age is starting to creep up on him. If Akhmadaliev can get his hands on Inoue early, he’s got a heck of a chance of knocking him out and dethroning him.

Turki Alalshikh’s Plan

“On 27 of December, we have the master, the real master. We have Inoue. We are thinking now, and we are close to finishing Inoue against [#1 WBC-ranked Alan] Picasso as the main event,” said Turki Alalshikh to the Ring Magazine YouTube channel. “All of the card will be big fights, the biggest fights between Japan and Mexico.”

“So, that’ll be Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Of course, there are many great ones,” said Mike Coppinger.

“Against Japan,” said Turki. “The top from both sides.

“That’s never been done before,” said Mike.

“This is Riyadh Season,” said Turki.