Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Christian Medina | DAZN - December 19, 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

EXCL: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is expected to return on December 19th and defend his WBA Bantamweight title against WBO champion Christian “Chispa” Medina in a unification fight.

I’m told the fight has now been agreed between all parties.

A venue is the only remaining hold-up before an official announcement, which is expected to be resolved within the next week.

[Ruthless-RKO]

UPDATE: In the last 48 hours, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs Christian “Chispa” Medina has been put forward to SELA as a potential fight for the Fury–Joshua undercard.

I previously reported that Bam was expected to return on December 19th against Medina in a WBA/WBO bantamweight unification.

The fight was originally expected to take place on December 19, but could now land on the December 11 Fury–Joshua card in Cardiff — one week earlier than originally planned.

Many discussions taking place as we speak.

[Finkel]

So much for fighting Inoue in February...

[Evander]

So much for fighting Inoue in February...

It's always been April May as I understand it.

[Finkel]

So much for fighting Inoue in February...

It's always been April May as I understand it.

Not from what I've been reading
Originally, Turki wanted January. Inoue's promoter suggested February. Back in August, Inoue was pretty firm on not being willing to sit around idle as he wants to move up to Featherweight, with March being a hard limit for the Bam fight. Hearn also seemed/seems to be working toward February/March.

Inoue doesn't need to sit around while a B-side fighter tries to squeeze in an extra fight, so it seems likely the Japanese will move on. Robert Garcia publicly trying to push for April/May is a waste of time.

[Evander]

So much for fighting Inoue in February...

It's always been April May as I understand it.

Not from what I've been reading
Originally, Turki wanted January. Inoue's promoter suggested February. Back in August, Inoue was pretty firm on not being willing to sit around idle as he wants to move up to Featherweight, with March being a hard limit for the Bam fight. Hearn also seemed/seems to be working toward February/March.

Inoue doesn't need to sit around while a B-side fighter tries to squeeze in an extra fight, so it seems likely the Japanese will move on. Robert Garcia publicly trying to push for April/May is a waste of time.

The B side fighter is a top 10 pound for pounder.
Let his body adjust to the weight gain and let it settle, then fight.

[joshj909]

It's always been April May as I understand it.

Not from what I've been reading
Originally, Turki wanted January. Inoue's promoter suggested February. Back in August, Inoue was pretty firm on not being willing to sit around idle as he wants to move up to Featherweight, with March being a hard limit for the Bam fight. Hearn also seemed/seems to be working toward February/March.

Inoue doesn't need to sit around while a B-side fighter tries to squeeze in an extra fight, so it seems likely the Japanese will move on. Robert Garcia publicly trying to push for April/May is a waste of time.

The B side fighter is a top 10 pound for pounder.
Let his body adjust to the weight gain and let it settle, then fight.

It's only 2kg difference in weight, he's already had 5 months since this was initially discussed and he's not a big draw. There aren't really any excuses here and he doesn't call the shots. He's just trying to get paid before he loses his undefeated record and it looks like he's not confident otherwise he would want the fight straight away so he could capitalise financially on his success as soon as possible.