Boxing’s Necessary Reset

The aftertaste of Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul may linger, but boxing moves quickly. Just a day after Boxing Day, the sport offers a reset—a card built on skill rather than spectacle.

On 27 December in Riyadh, Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani share the bill, each facing a dangerous assignment. Inoue defends his undisputed titles against unbeaten Alan Picasso, while Nakatani moves up to meet Sebastian Hernandez Reyes. All four are undefeated—and certainty, as ever, is not guaranteed.

Unlike Paul’s evasive survival act against Joshua—a former world heavyweight champion—Picasso and Reyes are here to compete, not to stall. They will engage, fully aware that ambition at this level often carries consequences. That willingness alone restores a sense of honour many felt was missing days earlier.

This is why the event feels like a counterpunch. Where last week’s bout chased spectacle, Saturday’s card offers substance. It caters to purists without excluding the curious, proving that high-level boxing can still command attention without gimmicks.

Yet the night is not without complications. Saudi Arabia’s role as host cannot be ignored, with critics again pointing to sportswashing amid concerns over human rights. Nor is it ideal that both bouts are framed as mere steps toward a future superfight—a narrative boxing history has repeatedly punished.

The temptation is obvious. A clash between Inoue—a two-weight undisputed champion and four-weight titleholder—and Nakatani, a three-weight champion, is tantalising. Inoue’s technical brilliance and ferocity have long earned him elite status, though sceptics cite a shortage of marquee opponents. Nakatani may finally be the blend of risk and recognition that changes that conversation.

But boxing resists linear storytelling. The blueprint of “If A beats X, and B beats Y, then A and B can have their highly anticipated bout next.” has failed too often to trust.

We have seen these plans collapse before. In Riyadh, Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin, only for Deontay Wilder to lose to Joseph Parker. Later, Devin Haney advanced while Ryan Garcia fell against Rolly Romero.

There is risk again. Naoya Inoue has shown vulnerability, and Junto Nakatani steps up in weight. That is why Saturday matters—not for future promises, but for what could go wrong right now.