Boxing
Could 'Bam' Rodriguez miss Inoue boat as powerbrokers eye bout?
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - June 27
Could Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez miss out on his opportunity to face Naoya Inoue after securing the WBA bantamweight crown?
That's the fear Eddie Hearn has warned about after the American dethroned Antonio Vargas for three-weight champion status.
Another showreel result for the star, considered one of the sport's finest pound-for-pound fighters, caught the eye on Saturday.
But hopes by powerbrokers to push Rodriguez up another decision in pursuit of Inoue may face a ticking clock in the future.
Speaking over the weekend, Matchroom supremo Hearn suggested talks are needed with the star and manager Robert Garcia.
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
Relive DAZN FACE OFF here
"If we don't do it soon, we're probably going to miss the boat," he was quoted by The Ring. "I think if the offer is right, [they] will do it.
"I don't think they have any fear of doing it [but they] are going to have to weigh up a decision. I think it will be an attractive offer."
Nevertheless, Hearn concedes that the deal must be right for 'Bam' to tackle 'The Monster', a fellow undefeated purist superstar.
"Do you do it now? Or run the risk of letting it go forever?" he added. "I don't think there's a bad decision, but is it in December?
"Or is it in a year? So a lot depends on the offer. If not then we carry on unifying the division. Bam's got many years ahead of him."
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
