Manny Pacquiao has identified Japanese phenom Naoya Inoue as his favorite active boxer, citing the undisputed super-bantamweight champion’s unique combination of velocity and technical movement. The legendary eight-division world champion shared his admiration for the 32-year-old Naoya Inoue while discussing the current state of the sport and his own preparations for a professional return on July 19, 2025.
The Filipino icon, who is scheduled to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios Jnr later this month, revealed that he has closely watched Naoya Inoue’s ascent through the weight classes.
Manny Pacquiao praises Naoya Inoue for speed and mastery of movement
Manny Pacquiao noted that he even provided technical advice to the fighter known as “The Monster” before the Japanese star had secured his first world title. This endorsement carries immense weight coming from “PacMan,” the only boxer to capture major titles across four different decades.
In a recent conversation with PPV.COM, Manny Pacquiao was asked which active fighter he finds most compelling to watch in the modern era. He immediately named Naoya Inoue, who has maintained an unblemished 30-0 record with 27 knockouts. “I love to watch Inoue,” Pacquiao said. “Yeah, Inoue, the Japanese guy. He has speed, power, movement.”
The 46-year-old legend explained that his appreciation for Naoya Inoue stems from the Japanese fighter’s refusal to be a stationary target. Manny Pacquiao believes this dynamism is the hallmark of a true master. “I like him because he moves so fast and never stays in one corner,” he added. “That’s a boxer. That’s what you’re supposed to do in boxing.”
Early advice on the science of footwork
Manny Pacquiao treats boxing as a meticulous science, and he recalled a specific interaction where he emphasized the importance of lower body mechanics to a young Naoya Inoue. Before the Japanese star became a champion, he reportedly asked Pacquiao about the most vital areas for training focus. The answer was simple: footwork.
“When you have footwork, you can control your opponent,” Pacquiao explained. “You can properly throw your combination punches without losing balance.” This focus on kinetic efficiency has allowed astute fighters throughout boxing history to bridge the gap between technical skill and raw aggression. For Pacquiao, Naoya Inoue has perfected this balance, allowing him to dominate world-class opposition while staying defensively responsible.
Parallels between the Filipino icon and the Japanese Monster
The stylistic similarities between Manny Pacquiao and Naoya Inoue are frequently debated by fans, especially as Inoue continues to carry his power through multiple weight classes. When asked if the four-division champion reminds him of his own younger self, Manny Pacquiao was quick to see the resemblance. “Yes, when I was young, in my 20s. Always moving. Never staying in one place,” he noted.
Both fighters share a rare ability to climb from the lighter divisions to challenge heavier opponents without losing their explosive attributes. Naoya Inoue has successfully grown from 108 pounds to 122 pounds, a trajectory that mirrors Pacquiao’s own historic rise.
His most recent outing in May 2025 saw him stop Ramon Cardenas in the eighth round in Las Vegas, a victory that included a recovery from a rare second-round knockdown.
Legacy and future matchups on the horizon
While Manny Pacquiao prepares for his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York — an event set for the Sunday following his public comments — Naoya Inoue is mapping out his own hall-of-fame legacy.
Following his win over Ramon Cardenas, the Japanese star is targeting a WBA title consolidation bout against Murodjon “M.J.” Akhmadaliev, which is planned for September 14, 2025, in Japan.
Beyond the Akhmadaliev contest, a potential superfight with Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez remains a major talking point in the industry. While some speculate on retirement, Inoue’s team has indicated that a jump to the 126-pound featherweight division is likely moving forward. This mirrors the high-stakes risk-taking seen in the emerging golden eras of other boxing sectors, where top athletes prioritize undisputed status and multi-weight glory.
Final chapter for Manny Pacquiao against Mario Barrios Jnr
As Manny Pacquiao discusses the next generation, he remains focused on his own immediate challenge. His July 19, 2025, bout against Mario Barrios Jnr for the WBC welterweight title marks the end of a four-year layoff from professional competition.
Despite his age, Pacquiao’s analysis of Naoya Inoue shows that he still approaches training as a “science,” looking to replicate the lateral movement that once made him the most feared fighter on the planet.
It remains to be seen if Manny Pacquiao can still execute the “non-stop” movement he so admires in Naoya Inoue when he steps into the ring with a much younger champion like Mario Barrios Jnr.
If he manages to reclaim a world title at 46, it will stand as one of the most remarkable feats in modern combat sports history.
Whether or not he wins, his public “passing of the torch” to Naoya Inoue ensures that the Filipino legend’s preferred style of high-speed, technical boxing will have a worthy successor in the Japanese champion.
