Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s knockout win over Antonio Vargas has brought the Naoya Inoue talk even closer, but trainer Robert Garcia does not want to rush straight to 122lbs.
Rodriguez became a three-division world champion on Saturday, stopping Vargas in six rounds to win the WBA bantamweight title. The performance was another statement, but Garcia said Bam felt the difference in size at 118lbs.
“After the fight, he did tell me, ‘Listen, I did feel the strength,’” Garcia said. “He is a bigger guy so why would we go straight into another division which is going to make a big difference. We have got to pace ourselves.”
Garcia still believes Rodriguez can beat Inoue, but he wants one more fight at bantamweight first. “I have no doubt that he is going to go out there and perform against Inoue and that he is going to beat Inoue,” he said. “But, I need that one more fight before that.”
When asked about possible bantamweight unifications, Garcia said he would prefer WBO champion Christian Medina over WBC champion Takuma Inoue. His reason was simple: Medina is strong and would give Bam the kind of test needed before moving up again.
There is also a WBA obligation to consider. Rodriguez has been ordered to face champion-in-recess Seiya Tsutsumi within six months or risk losing the belt he just won.
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