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Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse Rodriguez: 'Bam' explains what the mega fight would mean to him
When Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez challenges Antonio Vargas in Glendale, Arizona, and live on DAZN, on Saturday night, Vargas’ WBA bantamweight world title isn't the only jewel at stake.
If Rodriguez manages to stay undefeated, a potential meeting with Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue awaits.
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Rodriguez has insisted throughout this buildup that he’s not overlooking Vargas. However, given the magnitude of what a mega fight with Inoue would represent, ‘Bam’ has acquiesced just a little bit.
“It would mean a lot to me,” Rodriguez recently told DAZN News about landing the super bout with Inoue.
And the thought of taming ‘The Monster' for the world to see?
“It would be the biggest win of my career,” Rodriguez bluntly tacked on. “But I’m not really looking at that fight at all. I know I have a tough task [Saturday night] and if I don’t get past Antonio Vargas, then the Inoue fight will never even happen. I take it one fight at a time and focus on Antonio Vargas.”
The latter is a good idea, considering Vargas (19-1-1 with 1 no contest, 11 KOs) became the WBA bantamweight interim champ with a 10th-round TKO of Winston Guerrero in December 2024, before battling Daigo Higa to a draw in July. He was elevated to full status champion before trying to prevent Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) from becoming a three-division world ruler.
While this weekend could present Rodriguez with a stern challenge, it’s only natural to glimpse into what could be between ‘Bam’ and ‘The Monster.’
Both fighters are unbeaten forces. Both have slashing ring styles powered by high ring IQs and nimble footwork including subtle, slick movements. The 33-year-old Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) is an orthodox fighter, who can go southpaw when needed, with a penchant for explosive finishes. Rodriguez, 26, is a southpaw who seamlessly switches stances within his sweet science flow toward fireworks himself.
Both pound-for-pound list fixtures are also on a tear. Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight crown holder, has rattled off four victories in 2025 alone followed by a hard-fought unanimous decision over fellow Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani just last month in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Rodriguez steps into this weekend having generated five electric stoppages including the 10th-round knockout of Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez in November.
When pressed with who would emerge victorious in the potential super fight, Shakur Stevenson recently backed Rodriguez over Inoue.
“I like ‘Bam,’ I can’t go against ‘Bam,’” Stevenson told Matchroom Boxing. “I think Inoue is a great fighter, but I think ‘Bam’ might be his Kryptonite.”
It’s a glaring co-sign from one of boxing’s best. While ‘Bam’ told DAZN News that he puts himself fourth on his own pound-for-pound rankings behind Inoue at No. 1, Oleksandr Usyk at No. 2 and Stevenson No. 3, there is no doubting in his mind that he’d grab the top spot if he goes on to defeat Inoue in a mouthwatering matchup.
“Yeah, definitely,” Rodriguez conceded to DAZN News. “There’s really no debating that.”
Could Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez dethrone Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue?
Analysis: DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
In moving up to challenge for Vargas’ WBA bantamweight world title Saturday night, ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is strategically testing the waters a weight class above before adding another four pounds to vie for Inoue’s super bantamweight undisputed crown.
While Inoue might tout more explosive power in that potential mega bout, ‘The Monster’ can be hit and hurt. Both times we’ve seen Inoue knocked down — against Luis Nery in May 2024 and Ramon Cardenas in May 2025 — the Japanese superstar showed a bad habit of dropping his right hand after firing with his left. If Inoue does not sew up this issue, I believe Rodriguez has all the sweet science tools needed to expose him toward a victory.
Even if Inoue repairs that problem just in time, Rodriguez has the footwork and angles to notch the biggest win of his career — and convincingly. I'd go with 'Bam' to dethrone Inoue.
