Robert Garcia on Inoue vs Bam Rodriguez

by Yamanaka: Naoya Inoue

Robert Garcia's ask to Naoya Inoue's team is simple: quit airing it out in public, pick up the phone, send the offer. His line is that they're one phone call away. The fight in question is a potential superfight with Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, and Inoue is reportedly pushing for it by March. Bam hasn't had another tune-up in the meantime, which is where Garcia's doubt creeps in. Why the rush? He's been consistent that he'd rather see Bam take on another strong opponent at 118lbs before Inoue enters the picture, but he's also made clear he'll skip that step and go right at the superfight if Inoue genuinely wants it. So the open question is whether Inoue is angling for an edge by keeping Bam out of the ring, as Garcia hints, or whether he's just ready to get it done. Either way, the ball is sitting with Inoue's side, and Garcia says all it takes is a call.