sports

Inoue vs. Rodriguez Targeted for Jan 2027 Mega Fight

Naoya Inoue, the undefeated unified super bantamweight champion, is eyeing a January 2027 bout against Mexican-American prospect Bam Rodriguez in Japan, potentially breaking the country’s attendance record.

Following his May 2 victory over Junto Nakatani, Inoue has confirmed his intent to face Bam Rodriguez in a January 2027 mega‑fight in Japan, part of Riyadh Season. The bout would see Inoue defend his WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles while Rodriguez moves up to 118 pounds for the opportunity. Both fighters see the matchup as a historic lower‑division clash, with a special commemorative Ring belt slated for the event. esporist.com