Will Top Rank Eventually Plans to Make Inoue the Next Manny Pacquiao in his Rise to Superstardom?

Yup. Bob Arum is more of a street hustler like Don King. They were great for what they do. They are both shady af too. But I guess that's how they put a stranglehold on boxing for several decades.

This. That's why Bob is the best in building up fighters. He knew that he's got the right guy but he's not an American so he devised a clever plan for him to reach the top. But also kudos to Manny for letting Bob promote him, he could have said no at any moment, but he didn't, he was brave enough to face everything. Yes his road was 10 times harder as you said, but it was well worth it. Yup. Bob Arum is more of a street hustler like Don King. They were great for what they do.

118 stinks with maybe only Gary Antonio Russell being a challenger and he's not ready yet IMO. 122 has Fulton and the other champ who I have never even seen fight lol. 126 is where he could make some good fights with Navarette which would be a banger and maybe Russell jr or Magsayo who beat Russell last year. It's too bad the guys at 115 are so old and already had come up multiple weight classes. Roman or Estrada would have been awesome matchups but at this point he'd get basically no credit for beating them up. I don't think Inoue has those legs like Pac either. Pac was basically starving as a kid so he had plenty of weight to put on. I'm not sure what the limit could be for Inoue but I think it could be no more than 126

I don't think Arum was racist at all. My theory is that Arum had to use brute force to make Pacquiao reach that level of popularity because let's face it, he wasn't British, Mexican or American, the hypejob that these fan-bases does to a fighter is incredibly huge. With Pacquiao, he had to do it in a different way, call it riskier, more dangerous or more sensational way, but Arum had to find a way to reach those mega fan bases, and in the end, he did. Pac had to do it 10x harder, the road is many times perilous, but life is not fair, some people are destined to do it in a hard way, some people are born with silver spoon in their mouth and some aren't. Now imagine if Pacquiao was American, Mexican or British, with what he did, Manny could be a boxing God right now. But he should be happy that he came out of nowhere and yet he reached his status now as one of the greatest ever. He's very well respected, an icon and a model of old school fearlessness in boxing. He started his career by taking a Ledwahba fight in only 2 weeks and he ended his career trying to fight Crawford and Spence. It would serve boxing well if we have more fighters with the ferocious and fearless mentality of a Pacquiao. This. That's why Bob is the best in building up fighters. He knew that he's got the right guy but he's not an American so he devised a clever plan for him to reach the top. But also kudos to Manny for letting Bob promote him, he could have said no at any moment, but he didn't, he was brave enough to face everything. Yes his road was 10 times harder as you said, but it was well worth it.

The best thing for him to do is to fight 4 to 5 times a year. Have them on ESPN. Fight contenders and a couple of lower ranked guys., Stay busy fights like Tyson did when he was coming up. HIs fights end really quick so he could afford to fight more often.

He has potential fights with`Butler and Casimiero at 118, plus he could fight Estrada and Chocolitito at 115 or 118.They have names but he drills them. Then fight Fulton at 122, and maybe Navarrette at 122 or 126 . Plus the guy named Mark at 126 from the Phillipines. I dont see him going over 12 either. He is not wide and he doesnt have big lower body like Pac.

It won't happen. For one, he isn't going to be climbing very far up multiple weight classes. For another, there isn't enough talent out there to match him against to build his name to that level. Agreed. The fact that he was fighting Donaire again echoes your point. I enjoy the lighter weight classes and have always wished that they got more recognition and air time. I enjoy the heart and aggression of Japanese style boxing. Defence seemed to be an afterthought sometimes. Inoue is sharp in all aspects though. He’s as lean as a cadaver and muscled like threads of steel. I just want to see more of him and hopefully he comes across some legit challenges.

inoue often spars with featherweights now. i think its 100% he’ll move up there. welterwgt is pretty crazy when u think of pacman. but its all about quickness and power, and if theres anyone who has a chance, its prob inoue. let him unify at bw, then take fulton or whoever…

{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","data-attachmentid":31451248} I recently stumbled upon their bio and found out that Inoue and Pacquiao is exactly identical in physical dimension. Inoue has even a slightly longer reach than Pacquiao which was shocking and astonishing. I really thought in my mind Pacquiao was supposed to be way longer and bigger. Should Inoue pursue the same path as Pacquiao into superstardom? I mean who else is there for him at the lower weights? Casimero no longer has a title, as for the rest, he would beat them up like a pulp. This was the same case with Manny Pacquiao back in 2008 after he finally completed full circle and beaten Three(3) of the Greatest fighters of that era in Erik Morales (trilogy), Marco Antonio Barrera (2), Juan Manuel Marquez (2) at this point there was nothing left for Manny, he already beat the best of the very best in that weight division. After 2008 Manny Pacquaio was already a living legend. What else is there for him to accomplish? That's when the sadistic Bob Arum convinced Pacquiao to start going up in weights fighting David diaz, Ricky Hatton, Oscar Dela Hoya, Cotto, Clottey, Shane Mosley, Margarito etc.. etc.. No Tuneups for Pacquiao, it was as if Bob Arum was a racist Asian hater who wants Pacquiao dead at this point. He wanted Manny to keep on going and fight this giant, massive, bigger--longer guys non-stop. it was shocking really. You think Bob can do this kind of abuse to Americans? Hell NO WAY. But Inoue is Asian and just like Pacquiao, he may have the option to get this Death March from Bob Arum. I don't think Arum was racist at all. My theory is that Arum had to use brute force to make Pacquiao reach that level of popularity because let's face it, he wasn't British, Mexican or American, the hypejob that these fan-bases does to a fighter is incredibly huge. With Pacquiao, he had to do it in a different way, call it riskier, more dangerous or more sensational way, but Arum had to find a way to reach those mega fan bases, and in the end, he did. Pac had to do it 10x harder, the road is many times perilous, but life is not fair, some people are destined to do it in a hard way, some people are born with silver spoon in their mouth and some aren't. Now imagine if Pacquiao was American, Mexican or British, with what he did, Manny could be a boxing God right now. But he should be happy that he came out of nowhere and yet he reached his status now as one of the greatest ever. He's very well respected, an icon and a model of old school fearlessness in boxing. He started his career by taking a Ledwahba fight in only 2 weeks and he ended his career trying to fight Crawford and Spence. It would serve boxing well if we have more fighters with the ferocious and fearless mentality of a Pacquiao.

In terms of stardom theres not much chance of Inoue getting anywhere near the level Pac was at. He lacks big name dance partners for one. Obviously with Pac the whole slow build towards facing another huge star in Floyd played a big part in peoples interest in him.

IIRC, #48 wasn't doing PED testing for a large part of his career and all the opponents you listed above were coming off KOs or just generally on the downside of their careers. Not really impressive when it's put into correct context. Inoue is a better talent and doesn't need to rely on tricky matchmaking, name fighters coming off losses or heavy catch weight penalties. So in this case, I think they should promote him even more than they did #48. Great thread!

Pacquiao double-crossed Bob lmao. I didn't know Manny was a gangster back in the day. If I remember correctly, Bob said it was more out of ignorance because Pac was at that time still illiterate, he thought he could accept any money.

The guy has a point, Arum may have wanted to kill Pac at one point haha, maybe not because he's an asian hater, but because we remember that Manny double crossed Bob years ago by signing on both Golden Boy while he already signed in Top Rank, we know that Bob father has a vengeful soul. Think about this, Arum let the former Flyweight clean up the Welterweights in that era---Imagine a former flyweight who ended up fighting the most welterweights. Just because Manny emerged triumphant in the end doesn't mean Arum is not a scum for doing this ridiculous suicidal task to him. He might have died in there against these massive welters, that's like his 9th weight division for christ's sakes, what is this 1930's? Pacquiao double-crossed Bob lmao. I didn't know Manny was a gangster back in the day.

Nah don’t think it’s possible. He’s already 29 and there arent really enough big names around his weight for him to become anywhere near a Manny level of stardom. He can become a bigger star then choclatito was when a lot had him p4p #1 though

{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","data-attachmentid":31451248} I recently stumbled upon their bio and found out that Inoue and Pacquiao is exactly identical in physical dimension. Inoue has even a slightly longer reach than Pacquiao which was shocking and astonishing. I really thought in my mind Pacquiao was supposed to be way longer and bigger. Should Inoue pursue the same path as Pacquiao into superstardom? I mean who else is there for him at the lower weights? Casimero no longer has a title, as for the rest, he would beat them up like a pulp. This was the same case with Manny Pacquiao back in 2008 after he finally completed full circle and beaten Three(3) of the Greatest fighters of that era in Erik Morales (trilogy), Marco Antonio Barrera (2), Juan Manuel Marquez (2) at this point there was nothing left for Manny, he already beat the best of the very best in that weight division. After 2008 Manny Pacquaio was already a living legend. What else is there for him to accomplish? That's when the sadistic Bob Arum convinced Pacquiao to start going up in weights fighting David diaz, Ricky Hatton, Oscar Dela Hoya, Cotto, Clottey, Shane Mosley, Margarito etc.. etc.. No Tuneups for Pacquiao, it was as if Bob Arum was a racist Asian hater who wants Pacquiao dead at this point. He wanted Manny to keep on going and fight this giant, massive, bigger--longer guys non-stop. it was shocking really. You think Bob can do this kind of abuse to Americans? Hell NO WAY. But Inoue is Asian and just like Pacquiao, he may have the option to get this Death March from Bob Arum. The guy has a point, Arum may have wanted to kill Pac at one point haha, maybe not because he's an asian hater, but because we remember that Manny double crossed Bob years ago by signing on both Golden Boy while he already signed in Top Rank, we know that Bob father has a vengeful soul. Think about this, Arum let the former Flyweight clean up the Welterweights in that era---Imagine a former flyweight who ended up fighting the most welterweights. Just because Manny emerged triumphant in the end doesn't mean Arum is not a scum for doing this ridiculous suicidal task to him. He might have died in there against these massive welters, that's like his 9th weight division for christ's sakes, what is this 1930's?

It's sad but he has to move up in weight to become a true superstar commercially. Right now he's a superstar in boxing but the casuals don't watch anything much below 130. Even Loma a natural 126lber had to go up to get over. He has a small frame even with the GH i don't see him getting much past 126. We should just enjoy him at the weights he is now, he is a very special fighter.

Yeah not in this ERA good luck with that sh^t with MJ and Fulton at 122, Navarette, Mark Magsayo... at 126, Shakur Stevenson at 130 I think 126 is where he Max Out maybe 130 after Shakur Goes Up

DLH passed the torch to Pacquiao. There's nobody on Oscar's level that Inoue can face to shoot him into that level of stardom. The craziest match-up that I can conjure: Inoue vs. Lomachenko for the Undisputed 135lb champion. That would require Loma to beat Haney, which isn't a given. Inoue isn't gonna reach Pacquiao status, and that's ok. Inoue just needs to stay consistent and injury-free, fight 3 times a year and his name/reputation will keep growing.

Pac has quite possibly the largest little person calves I’ve ever seen. His frame could pack on a lot of weight in the lower half. Inoue is a small framed man. I don’t have him moving far above maybe 26 top

{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","title":"images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxU46zn5T_LS71MbPUi_5wwwcPAW6XpQaGmA&usqp=CAU.jpg","data-attachmentid":31451837}{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","title":"images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRl7Dj5ynZsthoRt38abF3AHl6N_HmnHbBgXA&usqp=CAU.jpg","data-attachmentid":31451838}