Naoya Inoue of Japan, left, celebrates after beating Stephen Fulton of the U.S. in the eighth round of a boxing match for the unified WBC and WBO super-bantamweight world titles in Tokyo, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
MANILA, Philippines—Naoya Inoue has made a knack for conquering one weight class after another.
On Tuesday, Inoue became a four-division champion after a masterful win over Stephen Fulton, claiming the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles.
Inoue’s win over Fulton came just seven months after the Japanese strongman’s undisputed reign at bantamweight.
His latest feat has him being compared to another great Asian fighter in Manny Pacquiao, who gave “The Monster” his props.
“Inoue has great speed and lots of power behind his punches. He’s a special fighter!” Pacquiao said in a tweet.
Inoue has great speed and lots of power behind his punches. He’s a special fighter! #InoueFulton
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 25, 2023
“Inoue is running through weight classes like a prime Manny Pacquiao,” posted former super featherweight champion Jamel Herring on Twitter.
Pacquiao also expressed his excitement over the impending undisputed clash between his compatriot Marlon Tapales, who holds the WBA (Super) and IBF belts, and Inoue likely to be held in November in Japan.
122 Super Bantamweight
WBA & IBF – MARLON TAPALES
WBC & WBO – @naoyainoue_410👀 Can’t wait to see that fight happen! 👊🏽
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 26, 2023
Pacquiao, who retired two years ago, remains as the only boxer to win world titles in eight divisions—winning his first at flyweight and his last at light middleweight.
Only time will tell if Inoue catches Pacquiao. But at 30 years old, he’s already halfway there.