Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez: Former World Champion Weighs In

Many of us have our dream fights we would love to see and often speak about potential match-ups with Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse Rodriguez being one many in the boxing world would love to see, and Sunny Edwards has had his say on the potential match-up and reflected on sharing a ring with “Bam” when speaking to BoxingScene.

Future Fight Between Naoya Inoue and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue

Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) have blown away all comers in impressive style leading many to call them pound-for-pound stars. “Monster” is a huge puncher who is a phenomenal finisher. He has impressed on many occasions with his wins over Nonito Donaire, Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales before his recent entertaining win over Luis Nery.

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is going from strength to strength with his last two wins over Edwards and Juan Francisco Estrada being highlights. “Bam” punches with incredible accuracy and uses his jab well to control the distance. When interviewed by Dan Rafael, Rodriguez spoke about his dream fight against Inoue: “Yeah I would love to fight (Naoya) Inoue in Japan, when were actually in the same weight class, not now obviously. But down the line a few years from now, I would love that fight.”

Sunny Edwards Talks Inoue vs. Rodriguez

When reflecting on his defeat to “Bam,” Edwards said: “It just became very, very, very hard to keep my focus mentally against someone physically and mentally so good in Bam, and I’ll give him all that props. I’ll keep chasing his tail, and he’s setting the pace right now at these weights, and that’s what I need.”

Reflecting on lessons learned: “I need people in front of me to chase down; that motivate me; that make me up my game. I’m on it. My mind’s switched. If anything that loss has given me that, more than taken anything away from me,” said Edwards.

Discussing the potential Inoue-Rodriguez match-up, the British fighter said: “I definitely think he’s one of the best fighters in the world – as I do myself. That’s why the fight was so good. Naoya Inoue is an absolute monster, but it’s a fight I’d love to see.” 

Edwards added: “When you’re dealing with this level of fighters, you’re dealing with a group of fighters rather than a one, two, three, four, five. When you have that much physical ability and understanding of a boxing ring – he has the chance to be one of the ones that challenges Naoya Inoue. Would I heavily favour him? Probably not. Inoue is one of the most phenomenal fighters there’s ever been.”