A brief bout of backstage tension broke out ahead of Naoya Inoue’s undisputed super bantamweight title defence against Alan David Picasso on Saturday in Riyadh after questions were raised over Inoue’s hand wraps.
Video clips circulating on X showed a disagreement in Inoue’s dressing room during the wrapping process, with a commission official or a representative from Picasso’s team objecting to the method being used. Voices were raised and Inoue’s team was instructed to re-wrap the hands to comply with local rules.
The issue centred on Inoue’s long-standing preference for a “stacking” technique, where tape is applied directly to the skin before layers of gauze are added. That method is permitted in Japan and in some U.S. jurisdictions, but is restricted or banned elsewhere due to concerns it can create a harder surface over the knuckles.
Similar disputes have followed Inoue in the past, including before his rematch with Nonito Donaire in 2022 and ahead of the Stephen Fulton fight in 2023, when his wraps were altered after objections.
Saturday’s event at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, promoted under Riyadh Season and streamed on DAZN, proceeded as planned after Inoue’s team complied. No delay to the card was reported, and the incident was treated as routine pre-fight protocol rather than a major escalation.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Related Boxing News:
Last Updated on 12/27/2025
