Japan’s biggest boxing star, Naoya Inoue, is the real deal, and his promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, believes he may even be better than Manny Pacquiao.
Arum was particularly impressed with the way Inoue handled Stephen Fulton to win the WBO and WBC junior featherweight titles. Inoue demolished the American in eight rounds in his first fight as a 122-pounder.
The veteran boxing promoter said Inoue could probably outdo Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing superstar he promoted for years.
“Inoue is a tremendous, tremendous fighter, like we’ve never seen before, maybe since Manny Pacquiao—probably better than Pacquiao was,” said Arum in Little Giant Boxing.
Arum also said Inoue, who is aiming for title unification against Filipino champion Marlon Tapales, can climb as high as 135 pounds.
“I think he has a chance to go all the way up, maybe even to junior lightweight or lightweight,” Arum said.
Pacquiao recently offered his help to Inoue in moving up in weight. But Arum said Inoue didn’t look like he needed help.
“I love Manny; Manny knows boxing, but what’s he gonna add to Inoue?” Arum said. “Where is Inoue falling short where Pacquiao could help him?”
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