Naoya Inoue will box TJ Doheny for the undisputed super-bantamweight world championship at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Tuesday September 3. Inoue is no stranger to coming into a fight as a massive favorite. He has earned that right by annihilating every challenger that has been thrown his way.
In terms of challengers that Inoue has seen, TJ Doheny probably goes down as one of the most unqualified. The 37-year-old did win a championship back in 2018, but that was six years ago at this point and he's 5-4 over his last nine fights.
Doheny has earned this shot with three consecutive knockout victories. He lives up to his nickname of "Power" and has won 20 of his 30 fights by knockout. The Irish fighter does have a puncher's chance, but he's taking on a complete fighter in Inoue. The undisputed champion's ability to push the pace and deliver his power without taking too much risk has helped him run through every opponent.
Inoue is on a streak of eight knockout victories. Nonito Donaire was the last fighter to take him to a decision and "The Machine" still won on all three scorecards.
Despite all of his success, Inoue believes that there is still room for him to be even better.
"I don't think I am the finished product yet. I still have some way to go. I know I can still evolve into a better fighter. I hope the fans can look forward to that as well," he told Sky Sports.
That's a terrifying thought for the rest of the division and the boxing world.
This should be another complete dismantling unless the Irishman finds a way to connect with a fight-changing punch out of nowhere.
The chief support bout is an all-Japanese world title fight, with Yoshiki Takei fighting Daigo Higa for the WBO bantamweight championship.
Both are hard punchers, while 19 of Higa's 21 wins have come inside the distance. While comparatively inexperienced, Takei is undefeated, with an impressive 9-0 (8) record. In that short pro career Takei has already beaten Jason Moloney to win the WBO belt.
Yokohama's undefeated Andy Hiraoka boxes Ismael Barroso in a WBA super-lightweight eliminator. Plus Jin Sasaki vs Qamil Balla and Toshiki Shimomachi vs Ryuya Tsugawa are also on the show.
In terms of challengers that Inoue has seen, TJ Doheny probably goes down as one of the most unqualified. The 37-year-old did win a championship back in 2018, but that was six years ago at this point and he's 5-4 over his last nine fights.
Doheny has earned this shot with three consecutive knockout victories. He lives up to his nickname of "Power" and has won 20 of his 30 fights by knockout. The Irish fighter does have a puncher's chance, but he's taking on a complete fighter in Inoue. The undisputed champion's ability to push the pace and deliver his power without taking too much risk has helped him run through every opponent.
Inoue is on a streak of eight knockout victories. Nonito Donaire was the last fighter to take him to a decision and "The Machine" still won on all three scorecards.
Despite all of his success, Inoue believes that there is still room for him to be even better.
"I don't think I am the finished product yet. I still have some way to go. I know I can still evolve into a better fighter. I hope the fans can look forward to that as well," he told Sky Sports.
That's a terrifying thought for the rest of the division and the boxing world.
This should be another complete dismantling unless the Irishman finds a way to connect with a fight-changing punch out of nowhere.
The chief support bout is an all-Japanese world title fight, with Yoshiki Takei fighting Daigo Higa for the WBO bantamweight championship.
Both are hard punchers, while 19 of Higa's 21 wins have come inside the distance. While comparatively inexperienced, Takei is undefeated, with an impressive 9-0 (8) record. In that short pro career Takei has already beaten Jason Moloney to win the WBO belt.
Yokohama's undefeated Andy Hiraoka boxes Ismael Barroso in a WBA super-lightweight eliminator. Plus Jin Sasaki vs Qamil Balla and Toshiki Shimomachi vs Ryuya Tsugawa are also on the show.