Sports · Combat Sports · 3 hrs ago
Inoue camp reportedly not keen on facing featherweight champion Espinoza
Naoya Inoue may move up to featherweight after a possible fight with bantamweight champion Jesse Rodriguez failed to come together.
Inoue is the undisputed super bantamweight champion, while Mexico’s Rafael Espinoza holds the WBO featherweight title.
Espinoza has called for a fight with Inoue and says he believes he can win, pointing to his height, reach and power.
The fighters have a notable size difference: Espinoza is listed at 188 centimetres and Inoue at 164.
Inoue’s camp is reportedly not willing to accept Espinoza’s challenge, though no decision has been confirmed.
Reports say the camp may instead look at fights with featherweight champions Angelo Leo or Bruce Carrington.
The next step is unclear, and Espinoza has also said he could consider moving up to super featherweight if top-level fights do not materialise.
Naoya Inoue’s camp is reportedly not inclined to accept a fight with WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza.
The report says Inoue may instead prioritize fights with IBF champion Angelo Leo or WBC champion Bruce Carrington for his first bout at featherweight.
Espinoza has welcomed the possibility of facing Inoue and said he believes he can win.
Espinoza said he would be willing to travel to Japan for the fight.
The articles note a size difference, reporting Espinoza at 188 centimetres and Inoue at 164 centimetres.
- Who
- Naoya Inoue and his camp, and WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza.
- What
- Espinoza wants to fight Inoue, but a report says Inoue’s camp is not currently inclined to accept.
- When
- The reports were published on October 21 and 22, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated. Espinoza said he would be willing to fight in Japan.
- Why
- Espinoza wants the bout as a chance to advance in pound-for-pound rankings. The report says Inoue’s camp has reason to consider other opponents, including the risks posed by Espinoza.
Rafael Espinoza
Naoya Inoue’s camp
Fight with Espinoza
Rafael Espinoza
Espinoza welcomes the matchup and says he believes he can win.
Naoya Inoue’s camp
The camp is reportedly not currently inclined to accept the fight.
Inoue’s first featherweight opponent
Rafael Espinoza
Espinoza has said he is eager to face Inoue.
Naoya Inoue’s camp
The report says the camp may prioritize IBF champion Angelo Leo or WBC champion Bruce Carrington.
東スポWEB reported that Espinoza welcomed Inoue’s suggestion of moving up to featherweight and wanted to fight him.
Yahoo!ニュース reported that Inoue’s camp was not currently inclined to accept a fight with Espinoza.
- Inoue’s division
- Super bantamweight
- Espinoza’s title
- WBO featherweight champion
- Espinoza’s height
- 188 centimetres
- Inoue’s height
- 164 centimetres
- Other possible opponents
- Angelo Leo and Bruce Carrington
3 sources
What people are saying
I have the necessary attributes, desire, and reach and height. I think I have power, too.
I am not saying I will knock him out, and I do not like saying it that way, but I have strong hope that I can win this fight.
There is no guarantee that Inoue will choose Espinoza. Espinoza has made his intentions clear, but Inoue’s camp is not inclined to accept it for now.