Undefeated fighter Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has named Naoya Inoue as the best boxer in the world while ranking himself as the number four pound-for-pound talent on the planet. The 26-year-old San Antonio native revealed his personal elite list during the buildup to his upcoming title fight, citing the historic achievements of his contemporaries as the reason he remains just outside his own top three.
Rodriguez, who holds a professional record of 23 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws with 16 knockouts, credited divisional dominance for his rankings. “I have myself at No. 4,” Rodriguez told DAZN News in an interview published June 11, 2026. “No. 1, I have Inoue, No. 2, I have Usyk and No. 3, I have Shakur.”
The humility comes at a time when many analysts have the “Legend Slayer” significantly higher. His recent resume includes victories over elite names like Juan Francisco Estrada, Sunny Edwards, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and Carlos Cuadras. Despite these wins, Rodriguez believes he has more to prove to match the top-tier trio.
Jesse Rodriguez explains his pound-for-pound rankings structure
The logic behind the rankings is rooted in the “undisputed” status of his peers. Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk have both become undisputed champions in two different weight classes, a feat Rodriguez is still chasing. While Rodriguez holds The Ring Junior Bantamweight belt and the WBA World Super Flyweight belt, he has yet to collect every major strap in a single division.
His decision to rank Shakur Stevenson at number three was influenced by recent events. Rodriguez noted that Stevenson’s victory over Teofimo Lopez forced him to adjust his previous list. Stevenson, a four-division world champion, has been a polarizing figure, yet Rodriguez clearly respects the technical ability displayed in his major wins.
This professional respect is notable given that fans roast Shakur Stevenson frequently regarding his promotional style. Rodriguez, however, focuses on the ring craft rather than the social media narrative. He admitted that while he previously viewed himself as the third-best fighter, Stevenson’s recent dominance earned him the higher slot.
Targetting the WBA bantamweight world title next
The immediate path for Jesse Rodriguez leads to a challenge against Antonio Vargas for the WBA bantamweight title. This bout, scheduled for Saturday night, June 13, 2026, represents his first major step into the 118-pound division. Moving up in weight is a calculated move designed to bolster his standing among the elite.
A victory over Vargas would make Rodriguez a three-division world champion before his 27th birthday. This trajectory mirrors the early careers of the very men he ranks above him. If he secures the WBA belt, the conversation regarding a “mega-bout” against super-bantamweight king Naoya Inoue will likely intensify for late 2026 or early 2027.
While Rodriguez maintains his modesty, the boxing community continues to debate his ceiling. Some insiders believe his 70% knockout ratio and technical aggression make him the hardest out in the lower weight classes. Even as Shakur Stevenson dismisses immediate Devin Haney fight talk to focus on his own legacy, Rodriguez is quietly picking off former champions to cement his own.
Historical context of the pound-for-pound debate
The pound-for-pound list has seen significant flux in recent months. In a previous interview in late 2025, Rodriguez had included Terence Crawford in his top three alongside Usyk and Inoue. His most recent update suggests that activity and weight-climbing results are now the primary factors in his assessment of greatness.
Ranking Oleksandr Usyk at number two highlights the value Rodriguez places on heavyweight achievement. Usyk has remained a fixture at the top of these lists for years, regardless of occasional criticism regarding his performance style or activity levels. For Rodriguez, the standard set by the Ukrainian and the Japanese “Monster” remains the pinnacle of the sport.
Rodriguez appears less concerned with where editors rank him and more focused on the names on his contract. By putting himself at number four, he has effectively created a shortlist of targets. His climb to the top spot likely depends on whether he can eventually secure a fight with, and defeat, one of the three men he currently views as his superiors.
