Three-belt super flyweight champion American Jesse “Ban” Rodriguez is not yet ready to move up two weight classes to face undisputed super bantamweight champion Japanese Naoya “Monster” Inoue, according to his trainer and manager Robert Garcia.
Plan for Bantamweight Fights
Garcia explained that the plan is for Rodriguez to have two fights at bantamweight first before considering a bout with Inoue. Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) will start by facing fellow American and World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) on Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Philippine time) in Arizona.
Garcia said that if Rodriguez wins this fight, he may have another bantamweight fight before moving up to Inoue's weight class. Inoue has a record of 33-0 with 27 KOs.
Garcia's Explanation
“I can’t already be thinking about 122 lbs versus Inoue when we haven’t even tested 118 lbs. The boys are bigger. Vargas has been at 118 for his career. He’s a world champion. Three pounds can make a big difference. I can’t already be looking to 122 when we haven’t done 118,” Garcia explained, as published on Boxingscene.com.
Despite the weight gap, some promoters want to match Rodriguez and Inoue, and it has been a topic of discussion in the boxing world.
