Eddie Hearn is preparing to redirect Jesse Rodriguez toward a super-flyweight unification bout if Naoya Inoue’s team fails to submit a formal contract offer soon. Rodriguez could instead face IBF champion Willibaldo Garcia Perez on 31 October.
Matchroom Boxing is unwilling to leave Rodriguez waiting indefinitely while the division moves forward. Trainer Robert Garcia wants his fighter’s next move settled quickly. Although interest has been expressed by representatives, direct negotiation progress has stalled without a formal offer. A two-division weight gap presents an immediate physical hurdle. Rodriguez currently competes at 115 pounds, whereas Inoue is established two divisions higher at 122 pounds. Stepping straight into super bantamweight without first competing at 118 pounds would place Rodriguez at a distinct physical disadvantage against an established champion.
“Everybody keeps talking about the Inoue fight,” Hearn told IFL TV. “We’ve had Inoue’s managers on saying, ‘Have you heard anything about this fight? We want to do the fight.’ We’ve not heard anything. Ultimately, if we don’t find out soon about the Inoue fight, we can’t keep waiting. Robert Garcia is saying, ‘What are we doing?’”
Matchroom is considering placing a Rodriguez bout against Garcia Perez on the 31 October card headlined by Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli. Victory would secure undisputed status at 115 pounds.
Securing every belt at junior bantamweight would fundamentally alter Rodriguez’s positioning in future negotiations with Inoue. Rather than entering negotiations as a smaller fighter seeking a significant purse, he would sit at the bargaining table as an undisputed champion who has completely cleared out his division. Maintaining activity remains essential for Rodriguez after notable victories against Juan Francisco Estrada and Sunny Edwards, as extended periods of inactivity would diminish his current momentum. Hearn’s public discussion of the Garcia Perez option also sends a direct message to Ohashi Promotions and Top Rank. Rodriguez will not hold his schedule clear indefinitely. If Inoue’s camp truly intends to make the fight, a formal written contract must be delivered without further delay.
