‘I know that fight is going to happen’: Jesse Rodriguez eyes eventual meeting with Naoya Inoue

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 29: Jesse "Bam" Rodríguez celebrates the victory against Juan Francisco El 'Gallo' Estrada, during their WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight title fight at Footprint Center on June 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona.(Photo by Luis Gutierrez/ Norte Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is scheduled for his next outing on June 13 when he takes on Antonio Vargas in Arizona. Speaking to iFL TV, Bam talks a little about that fight and why he’s looking forward to what he thinks is an inevitable showdown against Naoya Inoue. Here’s some of what he had to say.

Bam on resigning with Matchroom after matching an offer from Zuffa

“Very happy, very excited to be back with Matchroom, Eddie Hearn, the whole team. They treated me well, they’ve put me in the position I’m in today with the help of Robert Garcia and Teiken Promotions. So just being back with them, knowing I’m going to have bigger fights and huge nights to come just makes me more excited for my future.”

On his upcoming fight with Antonio Vargas in Glendale after trying to make the fight in San Antonio

“It is what it is. The Spurs were — that’s good for the city, good for the team. I’m excited for them but as far as me, I don’t mind coming back to Arizona. This is where I won my world title and changed my life. So every time I come back to Arizona it’s just like nostalgic and I know have good juju here. So I’m just very excited to go to Arizona and fight in Glendale again and show the world who I am.”

On wanting to fight Naoya Inoue

“In the back of my mind I know that fight is going to happen down the line. I feel like it’s closer than ever, now. As long as I keep winning, he keeps winning then I feel like it’s going to happen.