Shakur Stevenson has identified Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez as the most credible challenger to finally defeat Naoya Inoue, the undisputed two‑division champion who remains unbeaten.
Inoue, nicknamed ‘The Monster’, captured all four major titles at 118 lb before moving up to super‑bantamweight, where he has successfully defended his undisputed crown seven times.
His latest defence saw a unanimous‑decision win over three‑weight world champion Junto Nakatani in front of a packed Tokyo Dome last month.
The Japanese knockout specialist has also claimed world titles at flyweight and super‑flyweight, leading many to label him the sport’s premier pound‑for‑pound fighter.
At 33, Inoue’s longevity at the elite level is uncertain, especially with a potential showdown against Rodriguez on the horizon.
Rodriguez, 26, captured his third world title last week, stopping Antonio Vargas in the sixth round to claim the WBA bantamweight crown at 118 lb.
As the new WBA titlist, speculation surrounds whether he will pursue division unification—possibly against WBO holder Christian Medina—or move up to 122 lb in preparation for a possible Inoue bout next year.
Stevenson told The Agnew Podcast that Rodriguez offers the best chance to topple Inoue.
“I think he’s the truth. If anybody can do it – with them type of skills, I think ‘Bam’ can do it.”
Stevenson added that, during his amateur days, he faced the fighter who later became Rodriguez’s opponent, an experience that shaped his perspective on the newcomer.
He ultimately secured a split‑decision win over Vargas, who later competed at the 2016 Olympics, demonstrating that he can challenge top‑level fighters even against ‘Bam’.