Naoya Inoue Uses Vicious Body Attack To Chop Down TJ Doheny
In front of a packed Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, Naoya “Monster” Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) put the undisputed junior featherweight title on the line against TJ Doheny (26-5, 20 KOs). Inoue came into the contest universally as one of the elite fighters in the sport.
At age 31, Monster is at his physical peak. In his previous outing, Inoue got up from an early knockdown to destroy two-division champion Luis Nery in six rounds in May 2024. Doheny is the ultimate veteran. A one-time IBF champion at 122 pounds, the 37-year-old believed he had what it took to neutralize the home area superstar.
METHODICAL AND PATIENT
Typically a quick starter, the defending champion took his time in this contest. Instead of initiating the action, he laid back. At times, it seemed like he was working on some things and carried Doheny.
However as soon as Inoue got the punches cranking in rounds four and five, you knew the end was near. Inoue focused on Doheny’s body, and the challenger soon began to wilt. In the opening minute of round seven, a left hook body shot from the Monster badly hurt Doheny, who turned his back towards the champion and said enough is enough as he limped away in pain.
This fight was nothing more than a glorified sparring session for Inoue. After the contest, his co-promoter, Bob Arum, announced that the plan is for Inoue to return to the ring by the end of the year. Word on the street is that his opponent will be Australian Sam Goodman, currently ranked number one by the IBF and WBO at 122 pounds.
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