Could Inoue bypass Rodriguez to pursue five-weight glory?

That's the question that both camps face this week after 'The Monster' revealed his relative indifference to a generational clash.

Ever since Inoue defeated domestic rival Junto Nakatani in May, powerbrokers have been itching to put him in with 'Bam' next.

Yet the Japanese superstar has never seemed quite as convinced on the merits of a bout as opposition promoters have done.

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Instead, Inoue seems intrigued by a move to featherweight - and with it, the chance to become a five-division champion to boot.

Now, as each side enters a critical period of discussion, DAZN News asks - could Inoue bypass Rodriguez entirely in the end?

What has Inoue said about fighting 'Bam'?

Speaking to Sanspo earlier this month, Inoue offered a concrete timeframe for any clash with Rodriguez and how it could unfold.

"If I can do it around February, I will do it," he told reporters on a super-bantamweight bout. "I can't do it later. I'm not particular.

"If he says he wants to spend more at bantamweight. I’m already thinking about the featherweight challenge [a division above].

"If you go beyond that and get a little longer, I don’t have to be that obsessed with 'Bam', and I am not obsessed. I will go my own way."

Inoue's words tally with previous suggestions that the star would rather take stock at featherweight after conquering all comers elsewhere.

What is the likely timetable for 'Bam'?

Matchroom Boxing supremo Eddie Hearn has repeatedly stressed that powerbrokers view Inoue-Rodriguez as a mega-fight to make.

But having only just moved to bantamweight with a WBA win over Antonio Vargas, 'Bam' is still finding his feet in a new division again.

(Matchroom Boxing)

That has prompted a desire by the star's camp to take a unification bout with Christian Medina around November or December this year.

There, however, lies the wrinkle. Any late 2026 fight would mean Rodriguez faces a minimal turnaround to face Inoue a division above.

This is without factoring in a potential bout at super-bantamweight to steady himself too, effectively throwing the star in at the deep end.

Could Inoue walk away from bout?

Whether intended to earn more favourable terms or to simply rattle the cages, Inoue's statement this week comes at a fascinating juncture.

Having effectively cleared up shop amid the lower divisions, the Japanese star has made no secret of a desire to test himself one step up.

Perhaps to his team, the attempt to rush Rodriguez through two divisions feels like something of an creative afterthought to commercialism.

More intriguing - and still lucrative - offers could be found, while the spectre of retirement cannot be underestimated for the star either as well.

For 'Bam' then, his rival has offered him the fork in the road. If he hopes to make this apparent bout, then there may be some hard calls to male.

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