Rafael Espinoza Ready to Face Inoue at Featherweight, Even in Japan

WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza says he wants to fight Naoya Inoue if the Japanese star moves up to 126 pounds, and he is willing to travel to Japan for it.

"Inoue, I want a fight with you," the Mexican told The Ring's Mike Coppinger. "It would be an honor for me."

Espinoza (28-0, 24 KOs) spoke at his training camp in Valencia, Spain, where he is preparing alongside Canelo Alvarez under trainer Eddy Reynoso. He believes he has the desire, reach, height and power for the fight. "I'm not saying I'm going to knock him out, but I do have a lot of hope of being able to win that fight," he said.

Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) beat Junto Nakatani on points in May and kept his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles. He later said he would sit out the rest of the year and that his first fight of 2027 could be at featherweight.

A fight with Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez at 122 pounds is still possible. If it does not happen, the three featherweight champions, Espinoza, Bruce Carrington of the WBC and Angelo Leo of the IBF, could be in line.

Inoue has fought most of his career in Japan, and Espinoza has no problem with that. "Japan is a good place. I've always wanted to fight there. So going there and winning would be the best," he said.

The Ring rates Espinoza No. 1 at featherweight and Inoue No. 1 pound-for-pound.

Before any of that, Espinoza defends his WBO title against Lorenzo Parra on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli pay-per-view card on DAZN. It will be his first fight since he stopped Arnold Khegai in the 11th round last November.

Parra has not lost since 2017. Espinoza goes in as a big favorite but expects a hard night. "I think it's going to be a strong, tough fight," he said. "I'm preparing for the best."

Source: The Ring