Boxing fans, mark your calendars for September 3rd, as the boxing world will witness another epic showdown featuring the two-weight undisputed king, Naoya Inoue, as he defends his super-bantamweight titles against the formidable former world champion, TJ Doheny, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo. This high-stakes clash promises to be a night of electrifying action and unforgettable moments.
🏆 The Main Event: Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny
Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, a pound-for-pound icon, is set to continue his reign as one of the most dominant forces in boxing today. Fresh off a dramatic win against Luis Nery, where Inoue had to rise from the canvas before securing victory with a devastating knockout, he is now focused on defending his undisputed super-bantamweight crown. Inoue is on a remarkable journey to become a two-weight undisputed champion, having knocked out eight consecutive top-level opponents in a row. His power, precision, and technical brilliance make him one of the most feared fighters in the sport.
Bob Arum, the chairman of Top Rank, has hailed Inoue as a “generational talent,” stating that whenever Inoue steps into the ring, the entire boxing world stops to watch the master at work. Inoue’s incredible record of 22-0 with 20 knockouts in world championship fights speaks for itself, and his relentless pursuit of greatness has solidified his place in boxing history.
However, standing in Inoue’s way is TJ Doheny, a veteran fighter with a rich history of success in Japan. Doheny is no stranger to defying the odds, particularly on Japanese soil. With a record of 26-4 (20 KOs), Doheny is 3-0 against Japanese fighters and 4-0 when fighting in Japan, with three of those victories coming as the betting underdog. Doheny first made his mark in Japan by dethroning IBF super-bantamweight world champion Ryosuke Iwasa in August 2018. He then defended the title against Japanese challenger Ryohei Takahashi before narrowly losing it in a unification bout with Danny Roman.
Despite his setbacks, Doheny has bounced back with three consecutive wins in Japan, including a recent fourth-round stoppage victory over Kazuki Nakajima and a first-round demolition of Japhethlee Llamido. On the undercard of Inoue’s fight with Nery, Doheny also secured a TKO win over Bryl Bayogos. Doheny’s experience and track record in Japan make him a dangerous opponent who cannot be underestimated.
⚖️ The Stakes and Legacy
For Inoue, this fight represents another step towards cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats. His journey to undisputed status began in December 2022 when he knocked out Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles. He then quickly moved up to the super-bantamweight division, capturing the WBC and WBO world titles by stopping Stephen Fulton in eight rounds in July of last year, and then unifying the division by defeating WBA and IBF champion Marlon Tapales that December.
Inoue’s return to Tokyo earlier this year at the historic Tokyo Dome saw him survive a first-round knockdown before knocking out Mexican two-division champ Luis Nery in the sixth round, further solidifying his reputation as a fighter who can overcome adversity and finish with a flourish.
For Doheny, this fight is an opportunity to reclaim his place among the elite of the division. A win against a modern great like Inoue would be a career-defining moment and would propel Doheny back into the world title picture.
🔥 Full Card Breakdown
The Inoue vs. Doheny main event is just the tip of the iceberg for what promises to be a spectacular night of boxing. The undercard is stacked with talent, featuring:
Yoshiki Takei vs. Daigo Higa: WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei will defend his title against former flyweight world champion Daigo Higa in what is expected to be an explosive contest between two of Japan’s finest.
Ismael Barroso vs. Andy Hiraoka: Venezuelan puncher Ismael Barroso will put his WBA interim super-lightweight strap on the line against rising Japanese contender Andy Hiraoka. This fight is sure to deliver fireworks as both fighters look to make a statement in the division.
📅 Don’t Miss Out!
This is a must-watch event for any boxing fan. With Naoya Inoue looking to continue his dominance and TJ Doheny aiming for a monumental upset, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tune in on September 3rd for a night of world-class boxing from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo!
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1 Comment
Which fighter do you have winning and in what round?