Promoter Bob Arum says undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue is the “best fighter” he’s ever laid eyes on in “60 years” that he’s been covering the sport. In other words, Arum rates Inoue above Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Duran.

Inoue Elevated Above Ali, Leonard, and Duran

Arum, who promotes the former four-division world champion Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) with his Top Rank company, has promoted fighters with far better credentials than the 32-year-old Japanese star. It’s hard to take him seriously, given Inoue’s rather lackluster resume in terms of quality wins.

Arum’s Mount Rushmore of Greats

Muhammad Ali
Manny Pacquiao
Marvelous” Marvin Hagler
Sugar Ray Leonard
George Foreman
Oscar De La Hoya
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Alexis Argüello
Roberto Durán
Thomas Hearns

When one looks at the massive talents that the 93-year-old Arum has promoted, they have done far more in their careers than ‘Monster’ Inoue. He’s a good fighter, but he’s had the advantage of fighting in weak divisions against limited opposition.

Donaire Exposed Cracks in the ‘Monster’ Myth

We saw what happened to him when he got busted up against a past his best 36-year-old Nonito Donaire in their first fight.

A Resume That Doesn’t Match the Praise

Stephen Fulton
Nonito Donaire (x2)
Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Ramon Cardenas
Marlon Tapales
Paul Butler
Luis Nery
Emmanuel Rodríguez
Omar Narváez
Jamie McDonnell
Juan Carlos Payano
Jason Moloney
Adrián Hernández

“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,” said promoter Bob Arum to Jai McAllister about Naoya Inoue.

“I have never ever in the almost 60 years I’ve been in boxing seen anything like Inoue,” said Arum.

As far as Chris Williams is concerned, Inoue hasn’t tested himself by moving up to featherweight to face the sharks that would show whether he’s the thing.

If he moved up a mere four pounds to 126 to face the likes of Rafael Espinoza, Bruce Carrington, Angelo Leo, and Mirco Cuello, one could give him credit for being among the greats. But certainly, not the greatest because Inoue would still need to do far more than beat these guys to be in the top four of the Mount Rushmore of boxing.

Fans See a Pattern: Safety Over Substance

Many fans view Inoue as a cherry-picker and a fighter who chooses to play it safe by taking easy fights to pad his record rather than jumping straight in with the cream of the crop. For example, instead of Inoue facing Junto Nakatani now, he’s defending his four 122-lb belts against David Picasso on December 27th in Riyadh.

That fight is seen as another gimme for ‘The Monster’ Inoue. There is zero demand for that fight, and it’s just another one of a long line of setups that Naoya has taken rather than risk his hide fighting the apex predators that would show his true talent or lack thereof.

Chris Williams is a senior writer for Boxing News 24, covering the sport since 2013 and reporting ringside from major events worldwide. His coverage dives into both established champions and hungry prospects battling for recognition. Over the years, Chris has contributed to numerous leading boxing outlets, earning respect for his sharp analysis and insider perspective.

Boxing News 24 » – An Analyst’s Perspective » Bob Arum Calls Naoya Inoue “The Best Fighter I’ve Ever Seen” — Ranks ‘Monster’ Above Ali, Leonard, and Duran After 60 Years in Boxing

Last Updated on 11/12/2025