Boxing has had its fair share of dominant figures in the sport. From Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Canelo Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather, all these men have taken over multiple divisions. However, only one man has won gold in eight.
Manny Pacquiao is in a league of his own. Making his pro debut in 1995 at 16, Pacquiao won gold at flyweight, super-bantamweight, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light-welterweight, and super-welterweight. He has 62 wins, 39 of them via knockout. At age 29, he already had 47 wins.
There may never be another Manny Pacquiao. However, can someone come close?
At 29, Naoya Inoue is already a three-division champion. He is looking to increase his legacy by becoming undisputed at bantamweight. The WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring champion can do that with a win over WBO champion Paul Butler on December 13. If he wins, his next goal may be to move up to super-bantamweight.
MORE: All you need to know about Naoya Inoue vs. Paul Butler
Inoue is on pace to become the next great multi-division champion. At 29, how does he compare to Pacquiao at that age?
Naoyo Inoue - Manny Pacquiao comparison
Both fighters out of Asia are dominant in their own way. Inoue has actually been compared to Pacquiao at several points in his young career.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who signed Inoue in 2020, has worked with Pacquiao in the past. He told Lance Pugmire at one point that Inoue is “the best fighter I’ve seen in years in person… he has the ability to be as popular as Manny Pacquiao was.”
Speaking with Sky Sports, Top Rank President Todd duBoef had nothing but praise for “The Monster.”
“He (Inoue) makes me speechless when I watch him,” duBoef stated. “I’ve been in the business since 1993 but when you see speed, power in both hands, boxing IQ the way he has? He is just gripping. He is as exciting a fighter as anyone who has come out of Asia. He is the most exciting thing since Manny Pacquiao in the United States.”
MORE: Sign up to watch Naoya Inoue vs. Paul Butler, exclusively on ESPN+
After years of fighting in Japan, Inoue has started to make an impact on boxing fans in the United States. Inoue is even in discussions when it comes to the best boxer in the world. Here is how he compares to Pacquiao at 29:
Naoyo Inoue - Manny Pacquiao comparison
| Naoyo Inoue at 29 | Manny Pacquiao at 29 |
|---|---|
Tim Bradley is a fan of Inoue and has stated he is more precise and accurate than Pacquiao. Pacquiao faced Bradley three times, with a 2-1 edge against Bradley.
One thing that may detract those when comparing the two is the level of competition. Not long ago, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons told Sky Sports that the first Donaire fight helped elevate Inoue, but he still needs that special something.
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“There will never been another Manny Pacquaio,” said Gibbons. “I don’t care what country you are from. Inoue has a chance to be a star in his own right but he needs quality opponents, guys that are recognized. In a nutshell, just like there is only one Ricky Hatton, there is also only one Manny Pacquiao. Inoue is a star in his own right, in the shadow of nobody.”
If Inoue beats Butler, he could move on to a fight with Stephen Fulton, the WBC and WBO super-bantamweight champion. It is a gateway to better opportunities and to expand on his legacy.
But the question remains, can Inoue reach the status of Pacquiao?