Sports · Combat Sports · 3 hrs ago
Naito Says Inoue Can Skip a Fight With Rodriguez
Former world champion Daisuke Naito says Naoya Inoue can pass on a fight with Jesse Rodriguez if Inoue does not want it.
Inoue is Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight champion, while Rodriguez is a US boxer and WBA super-bantamweight champion.
Rodriguez is expected to pursue a title unification fight with WBO champion Christian Medina in late December or early January, which could affect plans for an Inoue bout.
Inoue’s promoter says Inoue’s first choice is to move up to featherweight and try to become the first Japanese man to win world titles in five weight divisions.
The other option is for him to defend his four major super-bantamweight titles against Rodriguez for an eighth time.
If the Rodriguez fight does not come together soon, Inoue may move up instead; no final decision is stated.
Former world flyweight champion Daisuke Naito said Naoya Inoue could choose not to pursue a fight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
Inoue is planning to face Rodriguez in March next year, but Rodriguez is scheduled to unify two bantamweight titles in late December or early January.
Inoue’s promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi, said Inoue’s first wish is to challenge at featherweight.
Ohashi said Inoue may move up if a fight with Rodriguez cannot be arranged.
- Who
- Former world flyweight champion Daisuke Naito commented on undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
- What
- Naito said Inoue could choose not to pursue a fight with Rodriguez.
- When
- Naito made the comments on November 3; Inoue is planning a fight with Rodriguez in March next year.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Naito said the choice is Inoue’s, while Inoue’s team is considering a featherweight challenge if the Rodriguez fight cannot be arranged.
Inoue’s team
Daisuke Naito
Fight plans
Inoue’s team
The team is weighing a fight with Rodriguez against a move to featherweight.
Daisuke Naito
Naito said Inoue could choose not to pursue Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is scheduled to fight WBO champion Christian Medina in a two-title unification bout.
Naito discussed Inoue’s options on his YouTube channel.
Inoue is planning to face Rodriguez.
- Naoya Inoue
- 33; undisputed four-belt super bantamweight champion
- Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez
- 26; WBA bantamweight super champion
- Christian Medina
- 26; WBO champion
- Daisuke Naito
- 52; former WBC world flyweight champion
- Next planned fight
- Inoue is planning to face Rodriguez in March next year
1 source
What people are saying
The choice is on Inoue’s side, so I feel he doesn’t have to bother with him.
Inoue’s first wish is to challenge at featherweight.