Inoue open to Rodriguez fight: 'It is all about the timing'

Naoya Inoue is willing to face Jesse Rodriguez at featherweight but says the matchup depends on timing, per The Ring's Mike Coppinger.

The undisputed junior featherweight champion, who outpointed Junto Nakatani on Saturday at Tokyo Dome, told Coppinger from his dressing room that he would take the fight with Rodriguez. "Of course, but it is all about the timing," Inoue said when asked about the potential bout.

Turki Alalshikh eyes January date in Japan

Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh reportedly wants to stage the fight as soon as January in Japan, according to The Ring. Rodriguez holds The Ring, WBA, WBC and WBO belts at flyweight and will make his bantamweight debut next month against Antonio Vargas in Glendale.

Rodriguez told The Ring CEO Rick Reeno last month he would jump at the chance. "If that fight was presented to me now, I'd definitely go and take it," he said on the Mr. Verzace Podcast. "I think me against Inoue would definitely be one of the biggest fights in the lower weight divisions."

Inoue has spent three years at 122 pounds, with his last three defenses going the distance. Whether the 33-0 Japanese star has more work at junior featherweight or moves up to chase Rodriguez remains unclear.

Rodriguez fights Vargas on March 8 before any Inoue talks advance.

Source: ringmagazine.com