Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez being planned for late 2026 / early 2027
With Inoue past Nakatani and Bam now a three-weight champ, the undisputed super-bantamweight superfight is being targeted — reportedly under Riyadh Season.
Key points
- Two undefeated champions: Inoue (33-0) vs Bam (24-0)
- Inoue's undisputed super-bantamweight titles expected on the line
- Targeted for late 2026 / early 2027, possibly in Japan under Riyadh Season
- Not yet signed — still in negotiation
The fight boxing wants most is taking shape. Undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (24-0) — who became a three-division champion by winning the WBA bantamweight title on June 14 — are being lined up for a unification-level superfight.
Inoue kept his unbeaten record intact with a 12-round unanimous decision over Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome on May 2, 2026. Bam captured a 118-pound belt as the final step toward moving up to Inoue's division. Multiple reports say the bout is being targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, potentially in Japan and under the Riyadh Season banner.
It is not yet signed. But two undefeated world champions colliding at their peak would be one of the biggest superfights in recent boxing.