Just weeks after defeating Junto Nakatani in a historic all-Japan bout, Naoya Inoue is being heavily linked to another “inevitable” rivalry.

Inoue, a four-division world champion, is currently considered the number one pound-for-pound weight in boxing, with last month’s triumph over Nakatani considered the best victory of his career, which cemented his position in first place.

While many fans were eager to see “The Monster” move up in weight again in an attempt to conquer as many divisions as possible, many are now hoping he hits the brakes and stays at 122 pounds for a while.

That’s because of a potential super fight with former unified super flyweight world champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who will move up to bantamweight on Saturday but is then willing to take another chance in his pursuit of Inoue.

I’m talking to Ring MagazineRodriguez maintained he was focused on this weekend’s clash with WBA bantamweight world champion Antonio Vargas, but admitted a meeting with Inoue seemed “inevitable.”

“Honestly, no [I am not thinking about the Naoya Inoue fight]. Like I said, one fight at a time. My focus is on Antonio Vargas, but I know that when that Inoue fight happens, the fans will be in for a great night of boxing.

“People are already talking so much about this fight that it is inevitable at this point and I feel like when the time comes it will be a great fight – probably one of the best in all of boxing history.”

Vargas vs. fight Rodriguez will take place on June 13 at the Desert Diamond Arena, and “Bam” will want to win world honors in the third league and fight one of the biggest fights in boxing.

Terence Crawford was discussing the one fight he always wanted when one of boxing’s strangest stories about Manny Pacquiao came to lithe.

In a recent podcast appearance, Crawford made it clear that Pacquiao remains an opponent he regrets never having had the opportunity to face.

“Pacquiao for sure. One thousand percent,” Crawford said when asked which fight came to lithe.

The conversation quickly turned to a fight, which Crawford admitted he had never seen.

Former challenger Nedal “Skinny” Hussein sat next to Crawford when the Australian’s controversial 2000 clash with Pacquiao became the subject of discussion.

A fight Crawford didn’t see coming

Hussein reminded those in attendance that he dumped Pacquiao during their WBC International super bantamweight title fight in the Philippines.

According to official records, Pacquiao hit the canvas in the fourth round, then recovered to stop Hussein in the tenth.

When Hussein explained what happened years later, Crawford seemed surprised.

“The judge came out and admitted that. I took care of him. We helped him,” Hussein said, referring to former official Carlos Padilla.

-You think so? Crawford replied.

Hussein then recalled how Padilla later admitted to extending the count after the knockdown and helping Pacquiao survive the crisis.

“I wasn’t a professional back then,” Crawford replied when the details were explained.

The fight that got away

The exchange took place moments after Crawford admitted that Pacquiao was the fight he wanted most.

Even though they spent years together under the Top Rank banner, the couple never shared a ring.

Bob Arum previously revealed there were attempts to pit Pacquiao against Crawford, including discussions about a lucrative event in Abu Dhabi. However, the fight never took place.

By the time Pacquiao left the sport, Crawford was no longer on the same promotional tour that ultimately led him to PBC.

The fight remains one of boxing’s biggest missed opportunities.

A story Crawford has never heard

Hussein’s account stems from a controversy that erupted in 2022 when Carlos Padilla admitted helping Pacquiao during the fight while discussing the contest in an interview with WBC.

The veteran referee said he extended the knockdown count and later ruled the headbutt was a punch, sparking a worldwide debate and prompting a furious response from Hussein more than two decades after the fight.

Pacquiao later asked why Padilla made such confessions when footage of the fight was available for all to see.

More than twenty-five years later, the controversy continues to find recent audiences.

Crawford never got the Pacquiao fight he wanted.

Instead, he heard one of the strangest stories surrounding Pacquiao’s rise from little-known champion to global superstar.

For a fighter who still calls Pacquiao the one who got away, it was an unexpected return to one of the most controversial chapters in the Filipino legend’s career.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Lamont Roach insists he won’t overlook William Zepeda, but that doesn’t stop him from imagining what’s next for the lightweight division.

Roach will face Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title on August 1 in Las Vegas in what many consider to be the toughest assignment of his career. However, when discussing the fight, the former WBA super featherweight champion certainly predicted not only a victory but also his dominant position before turning his attention to a potential showdown with IBF champion Raymond Muratalla.

“But now that I have beaten Zepeda in dominant fashionand we won’t miss it. Trust me, I’m training my butt off. Trust me, I’m training my butt off. But if it did happen, we would love to do that fight,” Roach told InsideRingShow.

“I know this fight is probably going to be for, you know, Ring magazine or something like that. You know, it’s a lot at stake, man. It’s a lot at stake at 135 pounds. And I just want to make sure I live up to that.”

Roach fought Gervonta Davis to a majority draw in March 2025, before moving up to welterweight and fighting Isaac Cruz to another draw. The 29-year-old now returns to lightweight as he seeks the vacant WBC title against Zepeda.

Muratalla is scheduled to defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceicao at the same event on August 1. Victories for both champions would mean another high-profile fight in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.

Roach also revealed that Muratalla had previously emerged as a potential opponent ahead of his eventual fight with Cruz.

“Even preparing for Pit Bull, I think one of the options was Muratalla and I think we made a connection. I just don’t know what happened,” Roach said. “I’m not saying that, you know, people employ the word duck too loosely. I just don’t know what happened.”

Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.

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Last update: 2026/06/11 at 17:32