Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson recently expressed his deep admiration for Naoya Inoue, one of the most prominent active boxers today, going as far as to suggest that Inoue surpasses the legendary Manny Pacquiao in skill and prowess.

Tyson, amidst preparing for his highly anticipated return to the ring against Jake Paul in November, shared his thoughts on Inoue during a podcast. Despite the considerable age gap between Tyson and Paul, along with a delay in their match due to Tyson’s health issues, Tyson remains closely connected to boxing and keenly observes emerging talents.

He enthusiastically highlighted Naoya Inoue, often referred to as “the Monster,” a nickname reflecting his ferocity in the ring despite his weight class of 118 pounds. Tyson described Inoue as a “mean son of a b*h” and praised his exceptional abilities, asserting that Inoue surpasses even Manny Pacquiao in terms of skill and aggression.

Tyson recalled watching Inoue’s memorable bout against Nonito Donaire in 2019, where Inoue’s victory showcased his dominance and tactical brilliance. “That’s a badass guy he beat too. He broke him down,” Tyson remarked, emphasizing his respect for Inoue’s technical prowess and ability to dismantle formidable opponents.

Naoya Inoue, currently 31 years old, boasts an impressive record of 24 knockouts out of 27 wins. He holds the undisputed super bantamweight championship and has previously held titles in bantamweight, super flyweight, and light flyweight divisions. Inoue is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers globally, a testament to his skill, versatility, and relentless fighting style.

Inoue is gearing up to defend his title against TJ Doheny on September 3 at Ariake Arena in Japan, continuing his reign as a dominant force in boxing. His upcoming match against Doheny underscores his commitment to maintaining his status as a formidable champion and further solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Mike Tyson’s praise for Naoya Inoue not only highlights the Japanese boxer’s exceptional talent but also underscores the respect he commands from boxing legends and fans alike. As Inoue continues to excel and defend his titles, his impact on the sport and his legacy as a boxing great only continue to grow.