Inoue On Rodriguez Delay: Will Move To 126

Naoya Inoue will not wait forever for Jesse Rodriguez.

The undisputed bantamweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super bantamweight champion told reporters in Japan on Monday that he expects a resolution by February 2027 — if Rodriguez continues fighting at bantamweight beyond that window, Inoue will move to featherweight instead. "It's not like I'm particularly attached to Bam," Inoue said, per Sanspo. "If it gets pushed back even further than that, then there's no need for me to be so attached to Bam, and I'm not attached to him anyway. I'll go my own way."

Rodriguez's Next Move Determines Timeline

Rodriguez made his bantamweight debut in June with a sixth-round stoppage of Antonio Vargas to claim the WBA title at 118 pounds. His promoter Eddie Hearn told The Ring last week that a planned winter defence against IBF beltholder Christian Medina could be scrapped if the Inoue fight materialises. Inoue remains rated No. 1 on The Ring's pound-for-pound list, with Rodriguez fourth.

Inoue last defended his four 122-pound belts in May against Junto Nakatani, winning by unanimous decision. He acknowledged that a move to featherweight would require pushing his frame but said he can still make super bantamweight comfortably if Rodriguez commits soon. "If Bam wants to do it, then I'll wait," Inoue said. "It all depends on Bam's movements now."

The two camps have yet to announce formal negotiations. Inoue returns to training in Tokyo this month with no fight scheduled.

Source: ringmagazine.com