Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has never been shy about sharing his admiration for fighters who display exceptional skill, discipline, and intelligence inside the ring.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport, Pacquiao continues to be one of boxing’s most respected figures decades after making his professional debut. The Filipino icon’s remarkable career was defined by his speed, power, relentless style, and ability to compete against elite opponents across multiple generations.
Pacquiao remains the only boxer in history to win world championships in eight different weight divisions, an unprecedented achievement that highlights his versatility, longevity, and ability to adapt against fighters of different sizes and styles.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
Even at 47 years old, Pacquiao continues to maintain a close connection with the sport. Aside from remaining active in boxing, he regularly follows major fights around the world and has become known for offering insight into the techniques and performances of today’s top fighters.
In a recent interview, Pacquiao was asked which active boxer he enjoys watching the most, and his answer pointed to one of the biggest stars in modern boxing—Japan’s Naoya Inoue.
For Pacquiao, Inoue’s combination of speed, movement, and technical ability makes him one of the most exciting fighters to watch today. The Filipino legend also revealed that he had previously shared advice with Inoue before the Japanese star became a world champion, emphasizing the importance of developing strong footwork.
“I love to watch Nayoa Inoue. Yeah, Inoue, the Japanese guy. He’s fast, and he has his footwork, but I told him before when he wasn’t a champion. He asked me about what’s better to train, and I told him footwork. When you have footwork, you can control your opponent. You can properly throw your combination punches without losing balance,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao’s praise carries significant weight given his own reputation as one of the most complete offensive fighters in boxing history. Throughout his career, the eight-division world champion relied heavily on movement, angles, and speed to overwhelm opponents, making his appreciation for Inoue’s footwork particularly meaningful.
Is Naoya Inoue the closest thing to the next Manny Pacquiao?
Pacquiao weighs in
#InsideTheRing | Latest episode LIVE NOW on The Ring’s YouTube
pic.twitter.com/GZIEZNgimd
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) April 18, 2026
Inoue has established himself as one of the most dominant fighters of his generation and has earned comparisons among the sport’s elite. Known as “The Monster,” the Japanese boxer has built a reputation for his devastating punching power, technical precision, and ability to control the pace of a fight.
The 33-year-old has captured world championships in four different weight classes and is one of only three boxers in history to become an undisputed champion in two divisions during the four-belt era, joining American star Terence Crawford and Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk.
His accomplishments have placed him among the sport’s all-time greats, particularly after his historic run at super bantamweight. Inoue became the first and only boxer to become undisputed champion in the division, holding all four major world titles since 2023.
Beyond his championship success, Inoue has also broken new ground for Japanese boxing. In 2022, he became the first Japanese fighter to reach the No. 1 spot in global boxing rankings, further cementing his status as one of the most influential athletes in the sport.
Inoue most recently showcased his dominance in May when he successfully defended his undisputed super bantamweight championship against fellow Japanese star Junto Nakatani at the iconic Tokyo Dome.
The highly anticipated bout saw Inoue once again demonstrate the qualities Pacquiao admired—speed, movement, accuracy, and the ability to execute combinations while maintaining balance and control. He secured a unanimous decision victory, adding another impressive performance to an already historic résumé.
As boxing continues to search for its next generation of global stars, Inoue has emerged as one of the sport’s leading figures. And with the endorsement of a legend like Pacquiao, his reputation as one of boxing’s finest talents continues to grow.
For Pacquiao, the qualities that make Inoue special are the same attributes that define the greatest fighters: discipline, intelligence, movement, and the ability to constantly improve. The admiration between two champions from different eras serves as another reminder of boxing’s enduring global appeal.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.
Leave a Reply