As 2027 approaches, one of the most in-demand fights in the sport is an undisputed super-bantamweight title showdown between pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue and three-weight world champion Jesse Rodriguez, but it now appears as though the proposed event is in serious jeopardy.

Inoue has taken some well-deserved time off following on from his career-best win over Junto Nakatani back in May, but ‘The Monster’ is keen to return to action in spring 2027, for an outing that many presumed would be against Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, ‘Bam’ has moved up to bantamweight and captured the WBA world title, but his trainer Robert Garcia made it clear that he wants another fight at 118lbs before moving up again and challenging for Inoue’s 122lb crown.

As of yet, there is no confirmed fight date for a mooted meeting between Rodriguez and fellow bantamweight titleholder Christian Medina (WBO), but the duo are expected to collide in either December or January, despite Inoue threatening to move on from Rodriguez if the American is not ready to fight him in March.

Still, just days ago, ‘The Monster’ revealed that he is indeed preparing for a meeting with the 26-year-old southpaw, as per Source of Boxing.

🚨 Naoya Inoue says he’s preparing with Bam Rodriguez in mind for his next fight 👀

“Yes, I’m preparing with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in mind.” pic.twitter.com/dqu2VtCKNP

— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) October 10, 2026

“Yes, I’m preparing with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in mind.”

However, Inoue has now said on X that he is unwilling to sit around and wait for Rodriguez, instead stating that he has begun to prepare for a move into the featherweight division. This comment was perhaps motivated by Garcia recently suggesting April or May for the fight.

I don’t want to wait around for Bam, so I’ll start preparing to move to featherweight 👆🏼

— Naoya Inoue (@naoyainoue_410) October 13, 2026

“I’m not going to sit around waiting for Bam, so I’m starting prep for featherweight too.”

In terms of which of the 126lb champions Inoue could face on his divisional debut, New York’s Bruce Carrington (WBC) would make the most sense for a stateside appearance, whilst Inoue has also previously mentioned IBF titleholder Angelo Leo as an option.

Another option could come this Saturday, as fellow Japanese featherweight title hopeful Tomoki Kameda challenges for Brandon Figueroa’s WBA crownso should he be successful, a tantalising all-Japanese featherweight world title affair may become Inoue’s most obvious route to the throne.

Since his latest comments, ‘Bam’s promoter Eddie Hearn has taken to social media to respond, saying they are still willing and ready to make the fight happen.

Agit Kabayel is expected to make short work of Nelson Hysa when he defends his WBC heavyweight title on November 28, with Bernd Boente exclusively telling World Boxing News that he expects the German champion to win within five rounds.

Kabayel has become one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world, with his relentless pressure and body punching proving too much for some of the division’s biggest names.

Hysa brings an unbeaten record and considerable knockout power to Düsseldorf, but the 42-year-old has never faced an opponent of Kabayel’s quality.

Boente believes the challenger has a dangerous weapon of his own, although he expects Kabayel to take control from the opening bell.

Boente Predicts Five-Round Finish

Asked whether Hysa’s punching power has been overrated, Boente warned against dismissing the Albanian’s right hand.

“Agit is a classic pressure fighter and will put Hysa under pressure right from the start. Hysa certainly possesses a dangerous right hand that Agit needs to watch out for, especially when Hysa counters,” Boente told WBN.

“However, Hysa hasn’t fought any top-tier opponents yet, so it’s hard to say for sure how things will go, but I’m predicting Agit wins within five rounds.”

Kabayel has already stopped Arslanbek MakhmudovFrank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang on his way to becoming world champion.

Those victories established him among the heavyweight elite, while Hysa must now prove that his knockout record can stand up against a fighter operating at the highest level.

Hysa’s Financial Demands

The fight was not agreed without difficulties, with both sides involved in a public exchange before negotiations were completed.

Asked whether the disagreement had simply been an attempt to generate publicity, Boente pointed to money as the main issue.

“I think it came down to finances, as always. I heard Hysa wanted too much and his demands weren’t met. He initially turned it down, but then presumably realized that, at 42, he wouldn’t get many more chances to compete in a World Championship.”

The agreement gives Hysa an opportunity to become world champion at an age when most heavyweights are approaching the end of their careers.

It also gives Kabayel the chance to make the first defense of the full WBC championship he inherited following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate in June.

35,000 Tickets Sold

Questions have been raised over whether Hysa is a big enough name for a major stadium defense, but Boente believes the occasion itself is attracting supporters.

“Queensberry has already sold over 35,000 tickets in days. Ultimately, most spectators come for the event—for a heavyweight world title fight in a stadium. That is something truly special, and many people simply want to be there!

“When the Klitschkos boxed in German stadiums, they sold out—regardless of whether the opponent was Mormeck or Haye.”

Boente is also a DAZN DACH heavyweight pundit and will provide analysis for Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley this weekend.

The November 28 event at Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena marks another major step in the revival of heavyweight boxing in Germany.

Kabayel has already ended the country’s 94-year wait for a recognized heavyweight world champion, becoming the first since Max Schmeling in 1932.

Now comes his first defense, with a large home crowd expected to back the unbeaten champion.

Hysa has the power to make things interesting, but Boente believes Kabayel’s pressure will be the difference.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

Daniel Dubois seeks a repeat victory over Fabio Wardley in their WBO heavyweight title clash on Saturday, and ahead of the action, fellow British heavyweight Derek Chisora has offered his final prediction for the bout.

Wardley was elevated to full WBO world champion in late 2025 and accepted a daring first defence against ‘Triple D’ at Co-Op Live in Manchester, who had lost his IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk in his prior outing.

Despite being floored twice in the opening three rounds, Dubois was able to bring Wardley’s reign to an early end as he bounced back to dominate proceedings, battering Wardley until referee Howard Foster waved the contest off in round 11.

Wardley absorbed an enormous amount of punishment, but he was still quick to activate his rematch clause and initiate an immediate second meeting with Dubois, in the hopes of becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Although, whilst pursuing a win that could define his career, Chisora told talkSPORT that he believes a second encounter with Dubois could turn out to be Wardley’s career finale, anticipating an early stoppage win for the reigning WBO heavyweight champion.

“I think that this is Wardley’s last fight. I don’t think that he wants to box anymore. This is his cash out.

“After three rounds, Daniel’s going to win it by knockout.”

All will be revealed when Dubois vs. Wardley II takes place this weekend at the O2 Arena in Londonwith Michael Gomez Jr set to challenge for Louie O’Doherty’s British lightweight title in the co-main event.