Naoya Inoue world title fight around March 2027, he says

Naoya Inoue has said his next fight will take place “around March” and that a world title will be at stake. The undisputed super bantamweight champion made the announcement to reporters in Tokyo on Thursday, without confirming an opponent, venue or date.

Inoue said that the opponent would be the American Jesse Rodriguez if the fight is a defence of his belts. If it is not, he said he would move up to featherweight and challenge for a world title there without a warm-up fight.

Naoya Inoue next fight date: what he said

Inoue was speaking at an event in Tokyo looking back on his May fight with fellow Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani. “We’re yet to reach a final decision (on the opponent). It’s about time,” the 33-year-old said. “It’d be the rumored opponent (in case of a title defence).”

He added that the plan for the title shot would not change. “As has been the case so far, I won’t be having a warm-up match and go for the title directly,” Inoue said.

Inoue is 33-0 with 27 knockouts. Rodriguez, 26, is 24-0 with 17 knockouts and holds the WBA super championship. He would need to move up a division to face Inoue.

Naoya Inoue 2027 boxing match: the featherweight option

A move to featherweight would give Inoue the chance to win a title in a fifth weight class. He has already won world titles at light flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. “I’m working with that in sight,” he said of featherweight. “I’ll definitely challenge it eventually, and make it my main battlefield for the second half of my career.”

The featherweight champions are Rafael Espinoza (WBO), Bruce Carrington (WBC) and Angelo Leo (IBF). Espinoza, who is 28-0 with 24 knockouts, told The Ring this week he wants the fight and would travel to Japan. “I would like to fight in Japan,” he said. “Japan is a good place. I’ve always wanted to fight there.”

Espinoza defends his WBO title against Lorenzo Parra on Saturday 31 October in Riyadh. The fight is on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez against Christian Mbilli, which is on DAZN pay-per-view. Inoue and Espinoza have each spoken publicly about the idea, but there is no confirmation that talks have started.

How the timing has developed

Inoue last fought on Saturday 2 May at the Tokyo Dome. He beat Nakatani on a unanimous decision and retained his four super bantamweight belts. He said afterwards that he would take the rest of the year off and that his first fight of 2027 might be at featherweight.

At Korakuen Hall on 14 October, gym president Hideyuki Ohashi ruled out April or May for Inoue’s return. That left February or March 2027 as the intended window, with Rodriguez the desired opponent rather than a signed one. The comments followed a suggestion from Robert Garcia of a later spring date for Rodriguez.

A day earlier, Inoue had said on his own X account that he would begin preparing for featherweight rather than keep waiting for Rodriguez.

Your questions answered

What is Naoya Inoue’s next fight?

It has not been confirmed. Inoue has said it will be around March 2027 and that a title will be at stake. He said the opponent would be Jesse Rodriguez if he defends his super bantamweight belts, and said he would fight for a featherweight title if that does not happen.

Who is a famous Japanese boxer?

Naoya Inoue is a Japanese boxer who is the undisputed super bantamweight world champion. He is unbeaten in 33 professional fights, with 27 wins by knockout.