Naoya Inoue’s Monster KO Test Against Former Super Bantamweight Champion

Southpaw TJ Doheny, who is enjoying a fine run of form, will face a tough challenge against undisputed super bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue on September 3 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Australia-based Doheny, 37, was the surprise IBF titleholder at 120 pounds when he outpointed Ryosuke Iwasa to claim the title inside Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall in August 2018.

Doheny made one title defense, stopping Ryohei Takahashi in 11 rounds the following January, before the fairytale run appeared to end in a unification bout against Daniel Roman three months later. Doheny survived two knockdowns before losing via majority decision.

Back-to-back decision losses to Ionut Baluta (March 2020) and Michael Conlan (August 2021) left Doheny at a crossroads. Another loss, again on points, to rising contender Sam Goodman 14 months ago appeared to spell the end of Doheny’s time at the top.

However, he then won three straight, all in Tokyo, defeating Kazuki Nakajima in 11 rounds, stopping Japhethlee Llamido in one round, and then, on the undercard against Inoue-Luis Nery in May, defeating Bryl Bayogos in four rounds.

Doheny’s manager Mike Altamura recently told BoxingScene: “He walks down the street in Tokyo and there are a lot of people out there pointing, asking for pictures, asking for autographs and calling his name.”

The veteran’s popularity in Japan may be one reason for this surprising performance. Another is his favorable position in the WBO rankings. Thanks to recent wins with the WBO Asia Pacific belt on the line, he has risen to number two, just behind Goodman, who could be Inoue’s next opponent if he gets past Doheny.

Goodman was Inoue’s mandatory opponent, but he opted to take an interim fight after suffering a hand injury in his win over Chainoi Worawut on July 10. Doheny is also ranked No. 9 by the WBC and No. 10 by the IBF. The Ring has him ranked No. 8 and he is ranked No. 10 by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

This will be Doheny’s fifth appearance in Japan, but to continue his unbeaten record in the country, he will have to pull off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. In the co-main event, WBO bantamweight titleholder Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8 KOs) will defend his belt against former flyweight world champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs).

Also featured: Venezuelan Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) will defend his interim junior welterweight title against Japanese challenger Andy Hiraoka (23-0, 18 KOs).

(aww)