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Robert Garcia: Bam Belongs on Riyadh Season Cards, Hope He's Here For a Unification Soon
NEWS
Mosope Ominiyi
Mosope Ominiyi
RingMagazine.com
Robert Garcia: Bam Belongs on Riyadh Season Cards, Hope He's Here For a Unification Soon
The trickle-down effect from Naoya Inoue's success continues.

As the undisputed junior featherweight readies himself for a Riyadh Season debut in December, at the end of the 31-year-old's four-fight plan, other stars across the sport's lower weight divisions are similarly raring for an opportunity to box in the Saudi capital.

Chief among them is Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez, who we previously reported was in talks with Argentina's Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) for a long-awaited unification at 115-pounds.

The Ring and WBC titleholder (21-0, 14 KOs) celebrated his 25th birthday last month and has been vocal about securing the best available opportunities to further enhance his legacy as a pound-for-pound attraction.

Robert Garcia, who collected The Ring's 2024 Trainer of the Year accolade at last month's awards ceremony in London, believes it won't be long before we see the multi-division talent on Riyadh Season cards in marquee championship fights to utilise his prime years.

While discussions continue, the 50-year-old expects Rodriguez to begin his 2025 campaign by May before rounding out his year around November-December time.

Speaking to The Ring, he said: "We're looking for unifications, still working on that and maybe bring him to Saudi next, or at least a Riyadh Season card because right now, that's where boxing is at, all the superstars are - Canelo already joined - Bam is No. 4 or No.5 in the pound-for-pound rankings, we think he belongs here."

Two-division world champion Bam unified IBF/WBO world flyweight titles with a ninth-round stoppage win over Sunny Edwards to end 2023 and as far as options go, the San Antonio southpaw is blessed with many.

"If that's not available, we'll think about the right opponent and move up to 118-pounds, maybe even 122 because of the fights available. When you look, there aren't many big ones left at 115, 118-122lbs is where it's at for him."

Up at bantamweight, The Ring's top five ranked boxers are all Japanese, headlined by WBC titleholder Junto Nakatani (29-0, 22 KOs) as he prepares for a third title defence against Mexico's David Cuellar (28-0, 18 KOs) next Monday.

While the seeds have already been sown for an all-Japan clash between Inoue and Nakatani in the not-too-distant future, Garcia feels his charge belongs in the mix too.

"Junto's a great champion and we're looking forward to that fight. Maybe two years from now, Bam heads to 122 for a big fight with Inoue, it's likely and would be great."

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