Naoya Inoue begins featherweight preparations amid Rodriguez fight delay

Naoya Inoue has announced he is beginning preparations to move up to the featherweight division, signaling he will not wait indefinitely for a scheduled matchup against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

Inoue expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “I’m not gonna sit around waiting for Bam, so I’m starting prep for featherweight too.” The delay stems from a disagreement regarding timing and weight classes. Rodriguez’s trainer, Robert Garcia, has advocated for Rodriguez to compete at 118 pounds first, suggesting a potential fight with Inoue might not occur until May 2027.

While Inoue has largely dominated the super bantamweight division, his move toward featherweight opens possibilities to challenge existing champions such as Angelo Leo, Brandan Figueroa, Bruce Carrington, or Rafael Espinoza. The standoff leaves the timing of a potential Inoue-Rodriguez bout uncertain as both camps navigate different strategic timelines.