A few years from now, fans might be sitting around and ask ... what would’ve happened?

Naoya Inoue and Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez have floated around the same weight class for years. Both are pound-for-pound stars and considered bona-fide world champions. Though a fight between the pair is a mouthwatering proposition, they're currently two weight classes apart.

Inoue, 32, is fresh off an eighth-round stoppage win over Ramon Cardenas to defend his undisputed super bantamweight throne. Rodriguez is a few months away from making his return against Phumelele Cafu in a junior bantamweight unification.

On paper, just seven pounds separates them, but Inoue isn’t fixated on the numbers. According to his eye test, he’s convinced they’re practically on the same physical playing field.

“I think he’s a good fighter,” Inoue told The Ring. “I’m pushing myself a little bit to [fight at] junior featherweight, but I don’t think my frame is that different from his. I think a fight isn’t impossible at all. It depends on the timing, and I’m not waiting for Rodriguez to move up.”

Patience isn’t Inoue’s best attribute, unless you count his work in the ring. Against Cardenas, he was a ubiquitous presence, stalking throughout their bruising contest. Following the win, a good portion of his future is already set.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev is next up in September. From there, Nick Ball andJunto Nakatani become targets.

Those names and possible future matchups are tantalising, but fans and pundits alike are wondering where Rodriguez fits into the picture. For now, he doesn’t. But that’s only because he remains two weight classes below. If, however, he decides to move on over to Inoue’s side of town, the Japanese star would be more than willing to entertain an immediate showdown.

“I definitely think he’ll be one of the candidates.”