Mike Tyson has bestowed some high praise towards one of the best fighters on the planet currently.
Manny Pacquiao is widely regarded as one of the best fighters of all time, and won world titles in a mind boggling eight weight classes.
However, Tyson claimed Japanese pound for pound star Naoya Inoue is even better than the legendary Filipino.
Tyson fawned over Inoue on a recent episode of his podcast HotBoxin’, describing him as ‘vicious” and a “mean son of a b****.”
“He [Inoue] is a mean son of a b****. He don’t look like much, but he’s better than Manny Pacquiao.”
“He’s vicious – ‘The Monster.’ “
Although he has not quite matched Pacquiao’s achievements just yet, Inoue has won world honours in three separate weight divisions including all four world titles at bantamweight.
He was crowned undisputed in his most recent fight, when he stopped WBO champion Paul Butler to add the Brit’s strap to his WBC, WBA and IBF belts.
Inoue will look to conquer a fourth division in a matter of days, as he takes on unified super bantamweight world champion Stephen Fulton at the Ariake Arena in Kotu-Ku.
Though Inoue goes into the contest a favourite, Fulton is widely regarded as the number one 122lb fighter in the world and will have a host of physical advantages over ‘The Monster.’
Approval has already been given for the winner of next week’s monster clash to take on the other super bantamweight world champion, Marlon Tapales, in an undisputed bout.