Jesse Rodriguez eyes Naoya Inoue bout as team debates timing

Jesse Rodriguez's sixth-round stoppage of Antonio Vargas at bantamweight has pushed a potential showdown with Naoya Inoue closer to reality, but his team is split on when to pull the trigger.

Rodriguez became a three-division champion at 26 with the victory at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The first four rounds saw Vargas weather Rodriguez's punches and land shots with more power than expected, but Rodriguez adjusted his footwork and positioning in the fifth, dropping Vargas before finishing him midway through the sixth with a pair of left hands to the face.

Garcia wants September tune-up before Inoue clash

Trainer Robert Garcia told BoxingScene he wants Rodriguez to face WBO bantamweight champion Christian Medina in September or October before pursuing Inoue, who holds all four belts at junior featherweight. "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?" Garcia said. "I think 'Bam's good enough to possibly beat Inoue, but one more fight would be a good thing for me as a trainer."

Promoter Eddie Hearn sees it differently. He warned that Inoue, who fought in May and cleaned out the 122-pound division, could move up to featherweight if Rodriguez waits too long. "If we don't do it soon, we're probably going to miss the boat," Hearn said, per BoxingScene. "Being at 118 and one division away makes it much more realistic."

Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh, who has the resources to fund the fight, sent Garcia text messages after Saturday's bout, though Garcia declined to share their contents. Garcia floated the idea of Rodriguez defending against Medina on Alalshikh's September 12 card in Riyadh, which features Canelo Alvarez challenging Christian Mbilli.

Rodriguez said he trusts his team's call but acknowledged both the financial and legacy stakes. "Money's very important, but legacy is also important," he told BoxingScene. "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." The 24-0 Texan's power at bantamweight is no longer in question after two knockdowns of Vargas, a former Olympic representative and world champion who said he rehydrated near 130 pounds for the bout.

Source: boxingscene.com