Bob Arum, the 93-year-old Hall of Fame promoter, has made a bold statement about an active world champion. The Top Rank Boxing founder claims Naoya Inoue is the greatest fighter of all time.
Arum's career in boxing promotion spans over 50 years. He's worked with legends like Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Vasiliy Lomachenko. But it's the Japanese sensation Inoue who's left the biggest impression on him.
In a recent interview with Jai McCallister, Arum didn't mince words about Inoue's talents.
"Inoue is not only pound-for-pound the best in the world, Inoue is the best fighter I've ever seen, no matter what weight category or anything. I have never ever, in the almost 60-years I've been in boxing, seen anything like Inoue."
Arum's statement carries significant weight given his extensive experience in the sport. He's seen countless fighters come and go, but Inoue stands out above them all.
Nicknamed "The Monster," Inoue has certainly lived up to the moniker. His record speaks for itself - 30 fights, 30 wins, with a staggering 27 knockouts. He's claimed world titles in four weight divisions and achieved undisputed status in two of them. This feat makes him only the third fighter in boxing history to accomplish this in the 'four belt era'.
Inoue's latest victory over Ramon Cardenas showcased his resilience and power. He rose from a knockdown to secure a thrilling win, further cementing his status as a boxing phenomenon.
The Japanese star isn't resting on his laurels. He's set to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Tokyo this September. There's also talk of a potential clash with WBA world featherweight champion Nick Ball down the line.
While Arum places Inoue at the top of his list, it remains to be seen if the fighter can reach the heights of Ali, Mayweather, or Pacquiao in terms of global impact and recognition. Speaking of Pacquiao, the Filipino legend is set to make his return to the ring this month.
You can watch Arum's full interview with Jai McCallister on YouTube, where he delves deeper into his thoughts on Inoue and other boxing matters.
