Boxing
Naoya Inoue hints at 'rumoured big fight' with Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez
Romero vs Lopez: DAZN PPV & Prime Video - Saturday
Are we closer to two pound-for-pound greats squaring off inside the ring for ultimate supremacy?
Tensions and accusations build in Romero vs. Lopez Face Off
BUY NOW: Watch Romero vs. Lopez exclusively on DAZN PPV & Ultimate Tier
Earlier on Thursday, undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue took to social media and mentioned the potential clash with former unified super flyweight and current bantamweight titlist Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez.
"Starting today, I began sparring sessions with the Mexican fighter who has come as Takuma's partner. I'm staying at super bantamweight to prepare for the rumored big fight, or challenging for featherweight—whichever way it goes, I'll keep building up. Either way, next year will be the year of challenges. I want to show the figure of someone who keeps challenging right up to the end of my boxing career."
Traction for an Inoue and Rodriguez (24-0, 17 KOs) showdown ramped up after the latter made a successful bantamweight debut when he thrashed Antonio Vargas inside six rounds to capture the WBA crown. Rodriguez and his promoter at Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, began their push to make the mega fight come to fruition.
Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) will only fight one time in 2026. But it was a great fight when he settled the rivalry with Junto Nakatani, winning by unanimous decision in May to retain all four 122-pound titles.
Will the bout happen in early 2027 or does Inoue move up to 126 pounds next year?
Romero vs. Lopez - Watch on DAZN PPV & Prime Video
The WBA welterweight title is on the line as Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez face off this Saturday, August 22, live on DAZN.
Buy as a one-off PPV, via DAZN on Prime Video, or included along with Moses vs. Hrgovic (Aug 29) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
