Naoya Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez: Eddie Hearn gives latest update

On June 13, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez defeated Antonio Vargas to win the WBA bantamweight title. The previous month saw Naoya Inoue defeat Junto Nakatani to retain his undisputed bantamweight crown. Following Bam’s win, attention quickly turned to a potential showdown against Inoue. Eddie Hearn has spoken to The Ring, revealing the latest on a potential super fight between the two.

Hearn keen to make Naoya Inoue vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

The boxing world appears to want to see Naoya Inoue vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, and Eddie Hearn recently stressed the importance of making this fight sooner rather than later:

“If we don’t do [Rodriguez-Inoue] soon, we’re probably going to miss the boat,” Hearn said. “I think if the offer is right, I think Bam and Robert will do it. I don’t think they have any fear of doing it.

“Robert and Bam are going to have to weigh up a decision. Do you do it now? Or run the risk of letting it go forever? I don’t think there’s a bad decision, because realistically, Bam can stay at 118 pounds and fight all the champions and be undisputed. The move to 122 is inevitable, but is it in December-January [for the Inoue fight]?

“Or is it in a year’s time? So a lot depends on the offer. I think it will be an attractive offer, if it’s not then we carry on unifying the division. Bam’s got many years ahead of him.”

Eddie Hearn gives the latest update on Inoue vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

Speaking to The Ring, Hearn has revealed that DAZN has instructed him to make a deal for Naoya Inoue vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez: “DAZN has asked us to start negotiations for that fight. They’re very interested in that fight worldwide, particularly in Japan. But it depends when that takes place,” Hearn told The Ring.

Discussing the possibilities for Bam’s (24-0, 17 KOs) next fight and the negotiations for an Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) bout, Hearn said:

“If it’s going to happen in January, we might go a little bit earlier [with another fight for Rodriguez]. [Rodriguez’s trainer and manager] Robert Garcia’s preference is to unify titles at 118 pounds, unless the Inoue fight becomes a real possibility. 

“Bam is going to fight in November or December. He’ll most likely unify again. [WBO bantamweight champion Christian]‘Chispa’ Medina is a good option. I think that’s a great fight.

“We haven’t heard anything about the Inoue fight. Everyone keeps talking about that fight. We’ve publicly stated we’re interested in that fight. We want that fight, but we haven’t really heard anything.”

Should Hearn help make Naoya Inoue vs Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez? Who wins and how?

Featured Image Credit:

Naoki Fukuda photo