The head coach of Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, Robert Garcia, has demanded a contract as negotiations between them and Naoya Inoue appear to be progressing.
Both sides are in talks to stage their mega fight in March, with Inoue making an eighth defence of his undisputed super-bantamweight crown after unanimously outpointing Junto Nakatani in May.
Since then, the Japanese ‘Monster’ has teased a move up to 126lbs, saying he will do so unless ‘Bam’ agrees to face him in his next outing.
Garcia’s original plan, however, was for Rodriguez to have one more fight at 118lbs after becoming a three-weight world champion by dethroning Anthonio Vargas with a sixth-round knockout in June.
The 26-year-old was therefore set to return later this year, possibly in a unification match with WBO champion Christian Medina.
But now, it seems, Rodriguez could end up relinquishing his WBA bantamweight title and jumping straight into a clash with Inoue, who appears willing to remain at 122lbs for a short while longer.
Speaking with BoxingScene, coach Garcia confirmed this option while urging Inoue’s team to send over a contract.
“If he can’t wait an extra two months, I don’t think it’s a weight issue; I think he wants to take advantage of Bam not having that extra [bantamweight] fight I’m asking for.
“That gives me confidence that we can go straight into the fight. Send me that f**king contract.”
It has also been reported that Inoue’s agent John Lewis is in talks with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to stage the potential fight in Tokyo.
