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Eddie Hearn Calls Bam Rodriguez vs. Naoya Inoue a "Fantasy Fight"
Promoter Eddie Hearn has labeled a potential matchup between Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue as a "fantasy fight," citing significant differences in weight classes as a major hurdle. While Hearn acknowledges the excitement such a fight would generate, he remains skeptical about its feasibility due to the fighters’ current and projected weight divisions.
Weight Class Difference a Hurdle
Hearn believes that by the time Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) moves up to super bantamweight (122 lbs), Inoue will likely have advanced to featherweight (126 lbs). For the fight to occur, Rodriguez would need to take a significant risk by moving up to super bantamweight now, which he could physically handle given his size. Rodriguez recently showcased his capability by defeating WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Rodriguez dispatched the 34-year-old Estrada (44-4, 28 KOs) in the seventh round with a body shot. Estrada has a rematch clause for his fight with Rodriguez, and Hearn believes he might use it to force a second match. If Rodriguez wants to fight Inoue, the smart move would be to handle the rematch with Estrada and then move up to 122 lbs.Bam’s Potential Jump to Super Bantamweight
“Jesse vs. Inoue is a fantasy fight. It’s also an incredible fight. You’re talking about a guy [Rodriguez] who has come up from light flyweight. He’s currently at super flyweight, and he’ll definitely go to bantam,” said Hearn to Matchroom Boxing. He added that Rodriguez will likely end up at super bantamweight in time, but they might miss each other if Inoue moves up too quickly. Hearn suggested that if Rodriguez wants the Inoue fight, he should jump to 122 lbs after the potential rematch with Estrada. There are no big names for Rodriguez to fight at 115 or 118 that would attract significant attention in the U.S. However, a fight with Inoue would be a major event in both Japan and the U.S.
Future Prospects
Reflecting on Rodriguez's recent victory, Hearn said, “I felt Bam dominated the first part of the fight, but then Estrada came back with the knockdown [in round six] and turned the fight on its head. Estrada was in the fight, but then all of a sudden, the body shot was absolutely perfectly placed. He couldn’t get up, couldn’t breathe.” Hearn noted that Estrada appeared thin and emaciated for the fight, suggesting that 115 lbs is no longer a suitable weight division for him. Hearn believes Estrada should move up to bantamweight or super bantamweight (118 or 122 lbs) to improve his performance. “It was a stunning finish, stunning knockout to a stunning fight, and wild scorecards as well. I don’t agree with them, but it shows you how competitive the fight was and how dramatic the fight was,” Hearn said. He expressed a desire to see a rematch between Rodriguez and Estrada, hinting at more excitement to come. #BamRodriguez #NaoyaInoue #EddieHearn #BoxingNews #FantasyFight #JuanFranciscoEstrada #SuperBantamweight #BoxingMatch #FightNight #MatchroomBoxing
