1:24 Inoue KO’d Emmanuel Rodriguez in Glasgow
Inoue destroyed Antonio Nieves in his US debut
But there is a reason why he hasn’t travelled much so far – his popularity back home may, however, translate to stateside (apart from Hawaii the biggest Japanese population in the US is in California).
“Inoue is already very famous,” the Japan Times told Sky Sports. “He is as famous as a Japanese boxer could possibly become so far.
“That’s especially the case since he captured the World Boxing Super Series title last year. As you know, Inoue has been dominant in the ring, which people want to see from the sport at the end of the day.
“Like Ryota Murata, he has been in many TV programmes and in other media outlets.”
This popularity in his home country was attractive to Top Rank, whose executive Brad Jacobs told Sky Sports: “Yes certainly. He comes with a terrific record too. We are in close contact with his promoters from Japan.
“Everything is in place for him to become a huge star in the US but, of course, he needs to deliver inside the ring.
“I predict huge things for Inoue.”
Top Rank president Todd DuBoef told Sky Sports: “He has this telegenic style. Boxing enthusiasts have a great appreciation for Inoue so we wanted to bring him to America to get him more exposure.
“In essence, he is like Manny Pacquiao, a kid from Asia with dynamite in both hands. The project would be similar. His opponents have a Hispanic base, like Pacquiao’s.
“Inoue is a real push of positive energy.”
He doesn’t yet speak English, as Pacquiao didn’t.
“It is a level of challenge that you don’t have otherwise but it’s nothing new to Top Rank,” said Jacobs.
“We have had many fighters whose native language isn’t English but we overcome it with time. Fighters have learned the language well enough to communicate with media and fans.
“Now the advent of social media means it is a lot easier for these guys to communicate. It is a challenge but nothing we can’t overcome.”
1:36 Manny Pacquiao sparring at the Wild Card gym in 2003
1:15 Check out Pacquiao’s legendary hand speed…
Inoue’s Las Vegas debut in a title unification match against John Riel Casimero was cancelled due to the pandemic.
“Inoue needs to break out onto the US stage which he is about to do,” Jacobs said.
“Inoue has a long way to go to emulate Pacquiao but he is still young. They are both sensational fighters.
“The US fans will take him in, similar to how they did with Pacquiao, because of his style and ability.”
Ultimately, it comes down to that same thing again: “You need personality – Pacquiao had tremendous personality to go with his ability. We will see how Inoue’s translates in the US.”
What we know of Inoue’s personality so far is that it appears humble. He told Scotland’s Daily Record when he fought in Glasgow: “I don’t see myself leading the way in terms of boxing in Japan or Asia.”
Inoue was in attendance when Pacquiao visited Japan in 2016. He was already a world super-flyweight champion but his stature was far less than it is now and Pacquiao is unlikely to have noticed the potential greatness that was nearby when he delivered the following words.
“It’s not that difficult to produce a Japanese version of Manny Pacquiao.
“Who knows? The next Manny Pacquiao could be from Japan.”
Sourse: skysports.com
