An in-demand showdown between Naoya Inoue and Jesse Rodriguez was beginning to look less likely, but there are now reports that a deal will be made for a new targeted date.

Following a career-best triumph over Junto Nakatani, Inoue was immediately mentioned for a clash with another pound-for-pound rival Rodriguez, who has since began his move up to super-bantamweight but has stopped off at bantamweight along the way.

At 118lbs, ‘Bam’ debuted with a knockout win against WBA titleholder Antonio Vargas, but wants one more outing in the division before heading to 122lbs, with a unification against WBO world champion Christian Medina being the most likely option.

In response, Inoue agreed to wait but set a deadline of March 2027 for their meeting, until suggestions of a fight in either April or May then caused Inoue to instead begin preparation for a move up to featherweight last week. 

Yet, speaking with Ring Magazine, Rodriguez’s trainer Robert Garcia maintained confidence that a deal will be struck for Inoue vs Bam to take place in March.

“I think that Inoue is just playing it smart. I don’t think that he is backing out of the fight. We will make a deal for March.”

Rodriguez-Medina has been mentioned as a possible bout for the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard on Friday, December 11, alongside a potential heavyweight match-up involving Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia, as well as a proposed appearance from Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.