Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez - 2027?

[Sendo Takeshi]

That's probaly just because they are just way more skilled than the guy they are fighting...
Superior talent beats a few extra kg of natural weight every time.

And maybe Bam has superior talent.

Never. Even if we assume their skill levels are identical (which is a massive if considering theor resumes): The great big man beats the great small man.

[gilgamesh]

That's probaly just because they are just way more skilled than the guy they are fighting...
Superior talent beats a few extra kg of natural weight every time.

And maybe Bam has superior talent.

Never. Even if we assume their skill levels are identical (which is a massive if considering theor resumes): The great big man beats the great small man.

The Mexican man usually beats the Japanese man too. I'll bet if you had head to head statistics of World Title fights involving Japanese fighters and Mexican fighters, the Mexican has come out ahead like 80% of the time. I could be wrong on that, but I doubt it. The edge has to be in Mexico's favor, it's just a question of margin.

[Sendo Takeshi]

And maybe Bam has superior talent.

Never. Even if we assume their skill levels are identical (which is a massive if considering theor resumes): The great big man beats the great small man.

The Mexican man usually beats the Japanese man too. I'll bet if you had head to head statistics of World Title fights involving Japanese fighters and Mexican fighters, the Mexican has come out ahead like 80% of the time. I could be wrong on that, but I doubt it. The edge has to be in Mexico's favor, it's just a question of margin.

Brother, I believe you watch too much anime

Nationality isn't really an argument for me, especially since Bam is American anyway.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Anything can happen in boxing.

[gilgamesh]

Never. Even if we assume their skill levels are identical (which is a massive if considering theor resumes): The great big man beats the great small man.

The Mexican man usually beats the Japanese man too. I'll bet if you had head to head statistics of World Title fights involving Japanese fighters and Mexican fighters, the Mexican has come out ahead like 80% of the time. I could be wrong on that, but I doubt it. The edge has to be in Mexico's favor, it's just a question of margin.

Brother, I believe you watch too much anime

Nationality isn't really an argument for me, especially since Bam is American anyway.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Anything can happen in boxing.

I'm not saying that Bam will beat Inoue, I just figure he's his a bigger threat than many other potential Inoue opponents.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez: Naoya Inoue showdown is 'inevitable'

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is going upscale, getting bigger, both in weight and pound-for-pound clout. But not much else has changed.

Plans and place are the same for a so-called little guy with global ambitions.

Naoya Inoue, Japan’s Rising Son and still on a mission to prove that nobody at any weight is better, is still the target.

“I think that fight is inevitable,’’ Rodriguez said Thursday at a Central Boxing gym crowded with fans who withstood triple-figure temperatures just for the chance at an autograph.

For at least a couple of years, the Rodriguez-Inoue possibility has been there, a dream fight that now has a realistic chance at happening.

Even Inoue mentioned it amid all the hype surrounding his victory over Junto Nakatani in front of a crowd of 55,000 at Tokyo Dome on May 2.

A lot still has to happen, including a Rodriguez victory over World Boxing Association secondary champion Antonio Vargas on June 13 in his bantamweight debut at Desert Diamond Arena in nearby Glendale.

“Win here, and I’ll move on for good from 115 pounds,’’ said Rodriguez, who has the WBC, WBO and WBA super-flyweight belts

Long-term, the Vargas fight is seen as one more step toward Inoue, who has been campaigning at junior-featherweight (122 pounds) and has said he’d also be interested in moving to featherweight.

For Inoue, the most significant factor, however, looks to be age more than weight. He’s 33. The little guys tend to have shorter careers than fighters at heavier weights. Translation: The clock is ticking on how much longer Inoue will be in his prime.

That’s one reason why there’s increased talk about Rodriguez-Inoue sometime in 2027. A past-due date looms for perhaps the biggest fight ever between two little guys.

First, however, there are inevitable moves upscale for the 26-year-old Rodriguez, who said Thursday he was at about 135 pounds. Vargas is an initial test after Rodriguez’ dominant title runs at flyweight and super-fly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naoya Inoue-Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez in Japan? 'Without a shadow of a doubt'

If Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez is to step up and take on Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, as reports have suggested is the plan, then he will go and do it in the “Monster’s” backyard.

First, of course, the brilliant 23-0 (16 KOs) Texan Rodriguez is moving up to bantamweight to face Antonio Vargas, 19-1-1 (11 KOs), on June 13 in Glendale, Arizona and while some are keen to discount Vargas, promoter Eddie Hearn is not looking too far ahead.

“I represent Vargas as well, so it’s not really fair to start talking about that fight [Inoue-Bam], but people are going to talk about that fight because they’ve talked about it for years," Hearn told Boxing Scene.

“And with him [Rodriguez] moving up another weight class, it gives them even more reason to talk about it. And I think if he wins on June 13, I think it’s inevitable. Bam is an incredible young man where he wants to move so quick. He’s not someone that wants to be around having loads of voluntary defenses and fighting in eight years’ time. He wants to get in now. “He feels like right now he's in his absolute prime, which he is. So I think that he's got to try and beat Vargas, which is not going to be easy. And if he does that and he feels good at 118lbs, you’ve got to hurry up and make the Inoue fight, because sooner or later Inoue will move to 126lbs and then it will be over. You're talking really once Usyk goes, which probably won't be long, it's number one and number two pound for pound in the sport.”

Is it a fight for Japan, Hearn was asked?

“Yes. Without a shadow of a doubt.”

Inoue, 33-0 (27 KOs), is fresh off a unanimous 12-round decision victory over countryman Junto Nakatani. It took place in Tokyo, Japan, and is widely regarded as the biggest fight in the country's history.

[Ruthless-RKO]

’Why wait?’: Eddie Hearn says Naoya Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez possible for 2026

Eddie Hearn says Naoya Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez may well happen in 2026

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says the talk of pitting Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez against Naoya Inoue in a huge pound-for-pound showdown is very real, and could even happen this year.

Hearn doesn’t want to ignore that Rodriguez is moving up to bantamweight to face WBA titleholder Antonio Vargas first on June 13, which he contends is not an easy fight. But if Rodriguez does get through it as expected, then a move to super bantamweight to fight Inoue would be next.

“The move to bantamweight sets that fight up perfectly. We keep talking about what’s next — he’s got to come through Antonio Vargas, the (WBA) champion, on June 13th. That’s a really, really tough fight,” Hearn said tonight on DAZN.

“But the world is awaiting (Inoue vs Bam). Probably outside of Fury-AJ, (it’s) probably the biggest fight out there. Really, with Usyk coming towards the end, it’s gonna be pound-for-pound No. 1 vs pound-for-pound No. 2. If Bam comes through in Phoenix, he just wants the biggest fights.”

Hearn says Rodriguez is not looking to “marinate” any fights or hang around the sport forever picking and choosing when to have tough bouts; he wants them all as soon as they can happen.

“(Bam) doesn’t want to be around for five or six years, he wants to fight everybody now, and now is the time, if he comes through Vargas, for Bam against Inoue. What a fight. The biggest in the lower classes for many, many decades. But Vargas awaits.”

Hearn also says that Turki Alalshikh has already discussed the idea, and would be looking to put it on in late 2026 or early 2027.

“Yeah, I think they’re talking about December or January for that fight. Bam would have six months to wait. It wouldn’t be a problem. Bam loves Japan, he loves it. He goes there on holiday! He don’t care where the fight is. Make the fight. It’ll be a tough challenge first (against Vargas), but if he comes through that, Bam vs Inoue, why wait?”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn Confirms Netflix’s Interest In Inoue-Bam Rodriguez Fight

Eddie Hearn confirmed Monday that Netflix executives have expressed interest in streaming a potential showdown between Naoya Inoue and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

“Yeah, look, Turki Alalshikh, Netflix … we’ve spoken to them,” Hearn told The Ring while promoting the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga heavyweight fight in London. “They wanna see the fight. [It’s] the biggest fight for Inoue by a mile.”

Alalshikh, owner of The Ring and chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, wants to complete a deal for Inoue to defend his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 122-pound championships against Rodriguez sometime in January in Inoue’s home country of Japan.

Inoue, 33, is ranked No. 1 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, three spots atop the fourth-rated Rodriguez.

Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani (32-1, 24 KOs) by unanimous decision May 2 before a capacity crowd of approximately 55,000 at Tokyo Dome.

Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) owns The Ring, WBA, WBC and WBO junior bantamweight championships, but he will move up from the 115-pound division to 118 for his bantamweight debut June 13. The strong southpaw from San Antonio, Texas is scheduled to challenge WBA champ Antonio Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs, 1 NC) in a 12-round main event DAZN will stream worldwide from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

DraftKings lists Rodriguez, 26, as a 25-1 favorite over Vargas, of Kissimmee, Florida.

“Vargas is a good fighter, tough opponent,” Hearn said. “And that’s next week. I mean, it’s coming around so quick. And if Bam comes through that, he’ll be calling Inoue out in the ring that night.”

Hearn – whose company, Matchroom Boxing, promotes Rodriguez – isn’t surprised Netflix is intrigued by an Inoue-Rodriguez bout because of its appeal internationally.

“Yeah, it’s a massive, massive fight for Japan,” Hearn said. “You know, and Jessie can beat him. And it would be an unbelievable move to become a four-division world champion. Next week he goes for the third division, so you know, really with [Oleksandr] Usyk probably on his way out and obviously [almost] losing to Rico [Verhoeven], it’s really No. 1 and No. 2, essentially, pound for pound, fighting each other.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tight-lipped Bam Rodriguez lets juicy nugget slip about potential Naoya Inoue fight

In the buildup to his move up in weight this Saturday, June 13, to seek a world title in a third weight division against WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, unified junior bantamweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has resisted questions about a looming showdown with undefeated four-division champion Naoya Inoue.

Aside from admitting he thinks he would win, the focused Texan Rodriguez, 23-0 (16 KOs), has deferred most questioning surrounding the Japanese superstar, choosing instead to keep all his focus on Vargas, 19-1-1 (11 KOs), until the job is done.

The 26-year-old southpaw Rodriguez, however, let a juicy potential scenario for the super fight slip during an interview, posted to X, with Manouk Akopyan from Ring Magazine today, June 8.

While Rodriguez says he’ll fight anyone coach Robert Garcia tells him to, including a compelling eliminator with three-weight world champion, and recent Inoue victim, Junto Nakatani, he thinks about taking a different route to the showdown.

I think that’s a perfect storyline to the fight,” Rodriguez told Akopyan, “Beating his brother (WBC bantamweight champion Takuma) first… I think that's like almost the perfect storyline to the Inoue fight, beating his brother first and then going and fighting the second brother.”

Admitting he has a tough job in front of him in Vargas, Rodriguez quickly turned the conversation back toward his upcoming fight. However, after the June 13 fight, he’ll be more willing to discuss the explosive future.

“I know when that Inoue fight does happen, then the fans are in for a great night of boxing,” he continued. “People are already talking about that fight so much that it's inevitable at this point. And I feel like when the time comes, it's going to be a great fight, probably one of the best fights in boxing history.”

[Sendo Takeshi]

Bam watches too much anime
Some people here were actually wishing for Bam to fight his brother first for the storyline.

Even though that's a pretty solid fight, I don't think Naoya should wait that long if he actually wants to move up to featherweight.
If Bam actually fought plans to fight both brothers in the next 6–7 months, that would obviously be fine, but it's very unlikely considering he usually fights twice a year.

[gilgamesh]

Bam watches too much anime
Some people here were actually wishing for Bam to fight his brother first for the storyline.

Even though that's a pretty solid fight, I don't think Naoya should wait that long if he actually wants to move up to featherweight.
If Bam actually fought plans to fight both brothers in the next 6–7 months, that would obviously be fine, but it's very unlikely considering he usually fights twice a year.

Any of these f*ckers fighting twice a year could easily fight 3 or 4 times a year. They did it all the time in the not too distant past.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Timing of the essence to pursue 'Bam' Rodriguez-Naoya Inoue showdown

If Saturday night’s bantamweight debut by Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in a WBA title fight was spent as a referendum on his readiness for Naoya Inoue, then the first four rounds were a no and the last two were a “Grab-your-popcorn” affirmation.

Now a three-division champion at 26 thanks to his sixth-round destruction of former champion Antonio Vargas at Desert Diamond Arena, Rodriguez will let his team, headed by trainer-manager Robert Garcia and promoter Eddie Hearn, dictate what to do next.

Another – and perhaps most important – contributor to that conversation is Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh, who has the power to fund a showdown that became much richer in both value and appetite after Rodriguez’s showing.

Garcia told Boxing Scene he received some post-fight text messages from Alalshikh, but he declined to read them aloud likely out of respect for Alalshikh and Rodriguez, and maybe also because Garcia’s not too keen on the idea of jumping right to undisputed 122lbs champion Inoue 33-0 (27 KOs) when time allots for another 118lbs title fight.

“If I’m not mistaken, from what Eddie is saying, the [Inoue] fight could happen in [early 2027], so why can’t we get one before then? Simple as that,” Garcia said. “It’s not like we don’t want to fight Inoue. I think ‘Bam’s good enough to possibly beat Inoue, but one more fight would be a good thing for me as a trainer. It’s not like we’re changing the date or asking for six months later. I’m just asking for another fight against a solid 118-pounder sometime in September-October.”

With Alalshikh throwing a “Mexico against the world” card September 12 in Saudi Arabia headlined by Mexico’s four-division champion Canelo Alvarez’s bid to recapture the WBC super-middleweight belt from champion Christian Mbilli, Garcia wants to send Texas’ Rodriguez 24-0 (17 KOs) against Mexico’s WBO bantamweight champion Christian Medina 27-4 (19 KOs).

“Why can’t that happen? I want to keep ‘Bam’ busy – three fights a year,” Garcia said.

Rodriguez, after winning three super-flyweight belts, moved to bantamweight and found a game and bigger Vargas, who said he was going to rehydrate toward 130lbs for the bout.

Not only did Vargas weather Rodriguez’s quality punches through the first four rounds, he left Rodriguez saying afterward that the former champion had more “pop” in his punches than he expected.

Yet, in the most telling portion of the night, Rodriguez tweaked his footwork and positioning, amplified his punching torque and found his power does indeed translate in the move up three pounds by first decking Vargas in the fifth, then finishing him before half of the sixth round was complete.

Both knockdowns were the result of punishing facial blows from the left hand.

“In the first four rounds, he was getting in for the fight with Vargas. People don’t talk about how good Antonio Vargas is: Olympian, world champion,” Hearn said. “It was just a case of getting through the gears. As soon as he went through the gears, it was like watching Picasso. It was just pure art in there. Pure ability. Pure skill.

“The big question was, will the power carry up to 118. I mean, that part of the question was clearly answered tonight.”

The timing of it all now becomes a significant factor.

Inoue, 33, fought in early May and could want another bout this calendar year after getting in the ring four times last year, but he’s swept out the junior-featherweight division and could be lured to featherweight, where champions Rafael Espinoza, Brandon Figueroa, Angelo Leo and Bruce Carrington would crave the Inoue challenge and pay day.

“If we don’t do it soon, we’re probably going to miss the boat,” Hearn said. “Being at 118 and one division away makes it much more realistic. It was [Rodriguez’s] first one tonight. I know there’s weight classes for a reason, but I don’t think the step is too far for him at 122. It is a disadvantage against Naoya Inoue, a much bigger guy.

“Robert and ‘Bam’ are going to have to weigh up a decision: Do you do it now or run the risk of letting [the fight escape] forever. I don’t think it’s a bad decision because ‘Bam’ can stay at 118lbs. A lot depends on the offer, I’ve got to be honest.”

Hearn said in looking at pound-for-pound No. 1 versus No. 2, a mega-fight in Japan after Inoue just drew 55,000 to Tokyo Dome in May, with global interest, the right offer will likely compel Rodriguez to take the fight.

Rodriguez has repeatedly rebuffed lesser fights in his past, pressing for demanding unifications or a move up in weight, Hearn noted.

That brought the conversation to Rodriguez, who said in the ring after the bout that he’ll follow the advice of his team.

“Whoever they put in front of me, I’m going to say yes,” Rodriguez said.

And while fighting Inoue certainly enriches Rodriguez, rushing to that bout with some preparation and testing undone could stain the legacy of the first three-division champion from San Antonio.

Asked at the post-fight news conference if he feels he can enhance his legacy and his income by taking an Inoue fight in the near future based on what he did to Vargas, Rodriguez told BS, “I think so. I feel I’m capable of beating anyone the team puts in front of me.

“Money’s very important, but legacy is also important. I feel like I can’t retire without fighting Inoue, so I need to get that fight before I retire so I can beat him, make the money and enjoy it with my family.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn fears Bam may miss Inoue boat if bout isn't made soon

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez scored another sensational stoppage victory Saturday in Arizona, stopping Antonio Vargas inside six rounds to become the WBA bantamweight champion.

Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) navigated uncomfortable moments early on but eventually seized the fight during his division debut, dropping Vargas (19-2-1, 11 KOs) in the fifth round before knocking him out in the next frame.

After rocking Vargas, Rodriguez's attention shifted toward a titanic tussle against undisputed 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue, and if he’ll need another fight to get acclimated at 118 pounds before taking a bite at boxing’s pound-for-pound king.

"Whatever they throw in front of me, I'm going to say yes," Rodriguez, a three-division champion, said during his post-fight press conference.

Promoter Eddie Hearn stressed urgency with his remarks and said he needs to be in lockstep with Rodriguez and manager/coach Robert Garcia with their next move.

"If we don't do [Rodriguez-Inoue] soon, we're probably going to miss the boat," Hearn said. "I think if the offer is right, I think Bam and Robert will do it. I don't think they have any fear of doing it.

"Robert and Bam are going to have to weigh up a decision. Do you do it now? Or run the risk of letting it go forever? I don't think there's a bad decision, because realistically, Bam can stay at 118 pounds and fight all the champions and be undisputed. The move to 122 is inevitable, but is it in December-January [for the Inoue fight]?

"Or is it in a year's time? So a lot depends on the offer. I think it will be an attractive offer, if it's not then we carry on unifying the division. Bam's got many years ahead of him."

Hearn and Garcia zeroed in on WBO bantamweight champion Christian "Chispa" Medina (24-4, 19 KOs), a fighter tied to Matchroom, as a likely next opponent this fall.

That's despite WBC champion and Inoue’s younger brother Takuma dominating the fight week narrative as a strong storyline-driven foe who could better set up the matchup against "The Monster."

"For me, the perfect idea would be to get another fight [at 118]," Garcia said. "I think it will be a better performance … Medina is very strong, so it would be a great test. Hopefully, we can get something going before the end of the year."

Rodriguez, 26, meanwhile, said he's ready to rock and roll against Inoue, as conversations of late have surprisingly included a possible retirement before 30.

"I feel like I'm capable of beating anybody that the team puts in front of me," Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Inoue, a 33-year-old undisputed champion, has been campaigning at 122 pounds since 2023 and is 9-0 in the weight class. Fresh off a decisive decision win against Junto Nakatani last month, he desperately needs fresh blood.

If Rodriguez doesn't play ball promptly, Inoue could be inclined to make a run at 126.

"Money is very important, but legacy is also important as well," Rodriguez said.

"I feel like I can't retire without fighting Inoue. So, I need to get that fight before, of course beat him, make the money and enjoy it with my family."

[Perkin Warbeck]

This is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing, I hope it can be made before Inoue gets too much older.

Rodriguez should have one more fight at 118 or 122 in September/October, than fight Inoue in January.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing, I hope it can be made before Inoue gets too much older.

Rodriguez should have one more fight at 118 or 122 in September/October, than fight Inoue in January.

Yh I feel like he’s just going up the weights quite quick.

Barely settling. Then again the diffference in them lower weights is between 3-5 pounds.