Legend-Slayer vs. monster? Jesse Rodriguez wants to move up after his bantam debut. The big target is Naoya Inoue – possibly as early as the beginning of 2027.
Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has long been thinking beyond his current weight class. The super flyweight champion is preparing for his debut at bantamweight against Antonio Vargas on June 13 in Arizona – but plans for a mega-fight against Naoya Inoue are already growing in the background. Rodriguez has earned a reputation as a “Legend Slayer” in recent years. Victories against Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Sunny Edwards and Carlos Cuadras have made him one of the best boxers in the world, regardless of weight class. Now the path to 118 pounds should lead further upwards.
Trainer Robert Garcia sees the timing for a duel with Inoue as almost ideal. After the Vargas fight, Rodriguez could still face a top bantamweight in the fall – such as Takuma Inoue or Christian Medina. After that, the jump to super bantamweight would be possible. Garcia believes his protégé is capable of a major coup. Rodriguez is technically strong, precise, active and intelligent enough to cause Inoue problems. “Bam” himself is also open to the fight – even in Japan. Inoue, for his part, did not rule out the duel, but referred to the right timing. It is precisely this timing that could make the fight one of the biggest duels in the smaller weight classes.
Text by Robin Josten