Naoya Inoue is now far more likely to face a fellow pound-for-pound star, but must first take care of business against Junto Nakatani on May 2.
The pair will collide in an all-Japanese clash at the Tokyo Dome, with Inoue making the seventh defence of his undisputed super-bantamweight crown.
But despite entering their showdown as a clear favourite, many believe that three-weight world champion Nakatani represents his toughest test thus far.
Like Inoue, the 28-year-old boasts an unbeaten record and comes off a successful, albeit hard-fought, super-bantamweight debut against Sebastian Hernandez in December.
While the result has been somewhat disputed, Nakatani ultimately claimed a unanimous decision victory on the undercard of Inoue’s one-sided title defence against David Picasso.
But while Nakatani has certainly earned his position at the top table, some would argue that Inoue is likely to encounter his most formidable foe elsewhere.
More specifically, a potential clash with unified super-flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has been widely discussed as one of boxing’s most mouth-watering matchups.
It was also announced just yesterday that Rodriguez will face WBA bantamweight titlist Antonio Vargas on June 13, bidding to become a three-division world champion.
After that, ‘Bam’ and head coach Robert Garcia may target the Inoue fight at 122lbs, with Garcia having previously outlined his plan in an interview with Xicana Boxing.
“We could get the Inoue fight early next year, or maybe [at] the end of this year. So the fight will happen – I know it is going to happen.
“That’s a fight ‘Bam’ wants, too, but he also understands that we’re going to do our job, building him to get used to the 118 pounders.
“Then he’ll feel better to know that he’s ready for 122[lbs].”
While Inoue represents his most lucrative and legacy-defining option, ‘Bam’ could equally decide to remain at 118lbs or drop back down for an undisputed title opportunity at 115lbs.
