A clash between Naoya Inoue and Jesse \u2018Bam\u2019 Rodriguez could be one of the biggest lower-weight contests in the history of the sport, with the two pound for-pound stars each keen to prove that they are the best on the planet. However, as time moves on, Inoue\u2019s promoter has now doubled down on his condition for the fight.<\/p>\n
Inoue outpointed Junto Nakatani in a legacy-defining win in May<\/a> and was immediately linked with Rodriguez, with some boxing fans of the belief that \u2018Bam\u2019 could be the only fighter in the world that is capable of overcoming \u2018The Monster\u2019 at super-bantamweight.<\/p>\n As a result, Rodriguez began his transition up to 122lbs by first making the move to bantamweight and dethroning WBA champion Antonio Vargas, whilst Inoue has put his switch to the featherweight scene on hold, for now at least.<\/p>\n After beating Vargas, \u2018Bam\u2019s team said that they want another outing at 118lbs before moving up and taking on Inoue, who responded to rumours of a unification showdown between \u2018Bam\u2019 and Christian Medina (WBO champion) by stating that he will wait around no longer than March.<\/p>\n Delays to Rodriguez-Medina have since caused concerns that Inoue-Rodriguez could soon collapse, particularly since Rodriguez\u2019s trainer, Robert Garcia, said that they are now hoping to face the Japanese phenomenon in either April or May.<\/p>\n Now, Inoue\u2019s promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi, has told Japanese media that his charge will not be fighting in April or May and will instead compete in February or March at the very latest, according to Hochi News<\/a>.<\/p>\n