Someone close to Picasso faced Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) and had a good amount of success against 'The Monster'.

Luis Nery faced Inoue in May 2024. Inoue got dropped for the first time in his career in the opening round. However, Inoue roared back for a sixth-round knockout. Picasso told DAZN that everything hasn't always been rosy with his fellow Mexican.

"Nery and I have had a complicated history," Picasso told DAZN. "Even though in boxing, we respect each other a lot because there's always been heated exchanges and things like that."

Despite their history, Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs) plans to march into the ring and tell his own Rocky 4 story, avenging Nery's loss and scoring one for Mexico.

"I think we are going to avenge Nery and go for it, and that's exactly how I feel," Picasso said. "Like Rocky in that scene where he's watching Inoue and where everyone sees him as invincible. But in the end, Rocky proves that he can beat him."

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 a minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.

Sign up for Ultimate for a special offer price of £18.99 / $39.99 per month. More details here.