Inoue–Rodriguez Talks Target March 2027, Ohashi Says

Naoya Inoue’s gym president Hideyuki Ohashi says negotiations with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s representatives are moving toward a proposed March 2027 fight, according to reporting from Tokyo this week.

Ohashi gave the update Wednesday at the announcement of a Phoenix Battle card. MiddleEasy, citing Nikkan Sports’ reporting, said he described positive progress without announcing a signed agreement.

The unresolved interim-fight question

The timing remains important because Inoue has objected to Rodriguez fighting in December before returning against him in March. That objection does not establish that Rodriguez’s proposed interim appearance has been cancelled.

Rodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia has also indicated a willingness to consider going directly into the Inoue fight. Boxing News reported that Garcia had asked the Japanese champion’s team to send a contract.

The earlier plan was another bantamweight appearance for Rodriguez, possibly against WBO champion Christian Medina. A direct move to Inoue would instead take him from the 118-pound division to super bantamweight at 122.

Rodriguez became a champion in a third weight class when he stopped Antonio Vargas in the sixth round in June. He is unbeaten in 24 professional appearances, with 17 knockout wins.

What remains unconfirmed

Inoue’s latest title defense was a unanimous decision over Junto Nakatani in May. He holds all four major super bantamweight belts and has discussed eventually moving to featherweight.

Garcia’s latest comments, reported Thursday by BoxingScene, again placed Inoue at the center of Rodriguez’s thinking. They added to the public negotiating picture rather than confirming a completed fight contract.

The proposed fight would pair champions from different divisions, with March still the target described by Ohashi. The preparation schedule remains unresolved, and no broadcaster or ticket information has been confirmed. A date and venue require an announcement from the parties involved before the matchup can be treated as booked. Follow TSP’s boxing coverage for confirmed scheduling developments.