Manny Pacquiao is as humble as it gets, but without saying it out loud he knows the type of fighter he once was.
Now 46, Pacquiao is attempting to relive his glory years.
Come July 19, he'll end a four-year retirement when he takes on WBC welterweight world champion
Mario Barrios.
At his age, Pacquiao may prove to have a lot left in the tank, but the ferocious and lethal fighter who he was in his younger years is ostensibly gone forever. Sort of.
During his transient retirement, Pacquiao didn't make many boxing-related public appearances. However, he kept a close eye on what was happening in the sport he loves.
Naturally, considering his stature, Pacquiao gravitates towards great fighters. Before he was hit with fame and glory, he fought with a unique swag. Replicating his approach is something many have attempted but practically all have failed. Well, all but Naoya Inoue.
"His style is like when I was young," Pacquiao told a group of reporters recently.
Usually, Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) greets his opponents with a smile before going in for the finish. The power, his hard-to-time speed and, of course, slick movement, all of it has aided him in becoming a two-division undisputed champion.
After recently taking out Ramon Cardenas, Inoue began flirting with moving up in weight. Slipping in and out of divisions while stealing world titles from helpless champions is what Inoue has become known for. Ironically enough, that was once Pacquiao's calling card.
Who knows how high in weight Inoue will decide to climb before eventually ending his career. As the only fighter to successfully rule eight separate divisions, Pacquiao is willing to let Inoue pick his brain.
"He can fight in different weight divisions," Pacquiao said. "If he wants my advice on what to do, I can give him advice."