Ring V: Night Of The Samurai – Riyadh Results

Picasso came forward early in the first round, but Inoue controlled the distance with his jab. In the second round, Inoue opened the scoring with a two-fisted attack while Picasso fought back and had moments of success. In the third round, Picasso briefly forced Inoue to the ropes, only to be countered cleanly as Inoue continued to land the more effective punches.

The fourth round continued with Picasso’s pressing and Inoue’s counterattack. In the fifth, Picasso landed a left hook to the chin early, and Inoue responded with a right hand later in the round. Midway through the sixth, Picasso landed a three-punch combination, although Inoue closed the round with a sustained attack that seemed to restore momentum in his favor.

Inoue continued to take turns in the seventh, while Picasso remained competitive without doing enough to take control. In the eighth, Inoue began to relax, dropping his hands occasionally, using feints and hitting clean shots after drawing Picasso. His bodywork began to have an effect. In the ninth and tenth rounds, Inoue largely dictated the action, although Picasso landed a notable left to the body late in the tenth.

Late rounds: Inoue closes strong

Picasso had his moments in the eleventh, briefly supporting Inoue, but was again countered to the head and body. In the twelfth and final round, Picasso continued to press with his hand raised, but Inoue’s power and precision won the exchanges. Inoue’s left hooks to the body were particularly effective down the length. The judges scored the fight 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111. Raul Caiz Jr. served as referee. Inoue received a Ring Magazine belt after the fight.

Co-Main Event: Nakatani vs. Hernandez

In the co-main event, IBF and WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani retained his titles with a contested decision on Sébastien Hernández after twelve rounds.

The first round was competitive, with Nakatani landing the cleaner left hand. Hernandez came into the second round with a high guard and limited production, before Nakatani rocked him late with an overhand left hand. Nakatani continued to score with left uppercuts and counters in the third, hurting Hernandez again in the final seconds.

Hernandez responded in the fourth by keeping the pressure on and finishing the round strong. The fifth marked Hernandez’s best round yet, as he worked the body and forced exchanges. In the sixth, Nakatani landed a late flurry that brought the crowd to life, although Hernandez closed the round with one last punch.

Hernandez took the seventh with increased production and carried that momentum into the eighth, supporting Nakatani while absorbing counters. In the ninth, Nakatani rallied early, but Hernandez finished the round with sustained attack. In the tenth, Hernandez had Nakatani late, and in the eleventh, Nakatani fought with his right eye almost closed as Hernandez continued to press.

Disputed decision at bantamweight

The twelfth round saw Hernandez chase Nakatani around the ring, forcing clinches and exchanges. Nakatani’s right eye was swollen and closed by the final bell. Many observers felt Hernández had done enough to at least secure a draw. The judges twice returned scores of 115-113 to Nakatani, with a third card reading 118-110. Deon Dwarte officiated.

Garcia scores knockdown in lightweight fight

For the lightweight and world-ranked left-hander Eridson Garcia A Japanese star at the forefront Taiga Imanaga by split decision over ten competitive rounds. Imanaga had success early on, landing crisp left hands and combinations, while Garcia began to assert himself in the middle of the fight.

Garcia took control in the later rounds and scored a knockdown in the eighth with a right hook that seemed to be the difference on the cards. Imanaga showed determination, coming back strongly on points, but Garcia closed the fight with more efficient work. The scores were 96-93 Garcia, 95-94 Garcia and 95-94 Imanaga.

Tsutsumi stops Quintana in fourth

Growing Super Bantamweight Prospect Reito Tsutsumi arrested Leobardo Quintana at 1:14 of the fourth round on a planned six. Quintana changed positions early and applied pressure, causing blood to flow from Tsutsumi’s nose, but Tsutsumi knocked him out late in the first and continued to exchange in a competitive second and third.

In the fourth, Tsutsumi landed a clean left followed by two right hands to the chin, sending Quintana to the ground. Referee Danrex Tapdasan stopped the fight without counting.

Michael Buffer handled introductions for the main event, with Thomas Treiber serving as ring announcer.