Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny: Undisputed Title Fight - What to Know About the 'Monster's' Next Opponent

Naoya Inoue, one of the world's best pound-for-pound boxers, returns Tuesday morning to defend the undisputed junior featherweight championship against TJ Doheny (ESPN+, 5:45 a.m. ET). And he will have plenty of opportunities for more big fights with a win against Doheny. The four-division champion is coming off an impressive victory over Luis Nery in front of more than 44,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome in May, and A future fight with bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani could surpass that number.

The Japanese is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today and has shown supremacy in every division he has fought in during his career.

He will be making his second fight of 2024, after defeating Luis Nery on May 6 when he had to overcome a knockdown to win in a resounding way in a fight that had a lot of action and drama.

Now he will face Doheny, an Irishman on a three-fight winning streak and a former world champion in this category. The 37-year-old knows he has a great opportunity and wants to make the most of it and pull off the upset.

Last week, both fighters sparred publicly and were in great shape ahead of the fight. Now they only have to complete the final press conference and weigh-in next Monday to be qualified for the fight for the crown.

Inoue is undefeated in 27 fights, 24 of them by knockout. Doheny has 26 wins, four losses and 20 knockouts.

Doheny's Path to the Title

Doheny previously held the IBF junior featherweight title in 2019 before losing in a unification match to WBA champion Daniel Roman. He is a tough and experienced fighter who has spent his career battling in the toughest weight classes in boxing, battling his way back to a title shot after losing his IBF title.

He has won three consecutive bouts, all in Japan, and is looking to showcase his skills on a larger stage. However, he has admitted that fighting for a world championship gives him a different level of motivation. He is looking to prove that he can still compete with the best in the world.

Doheny, who is from Portlaoise, has spent all of his career outside of Europe, fighting in Australia, US and most recently Japan. Despite some setbacks, since he lost his IBF title, Doheny has bounced back with three consecutive wins in Japan against Kazuki Nakajima, Japhethlee Llamido and Bryl Bayogos.

Doheny’s journey to a world title fight has been a long and arduous one, and he is ready to showcase his abilities. "My motivation has come from tasting being a world champion and trying to get back, but it is hard to get up for fights when they’re not world championship fights," Doheny admitted.

Inoue's Dominance

Inoue is a powerful knockout artist, and he will have a clear advantage in this fight. He is coming off a dominant victory over Stephen Fulton in July 2023. Doheny is looking to upset the odds, but it will be a huge task, especially if Inoue is able to dictate the pace of the fight.

Inoue has won all 22 of his world championship bouts. His opponent, Inoue is regarded as one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. The Japanese fighter is unbeaten in 27 contests and has knocked out his last eight opponents.

The 31-year-old secured his first world title more than 10 years ago and has won all 22 of his world championship bouts. Inoue knocked out England's Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles in December 2022 and then did likewise in the super bantamweight division, collecting the WBC and WBO world titles by stopping Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and adding the WBA and IBF crowns by seeing off Marlon Tapales in December.

What's Next for the Winner?

Inoue has a number of potential fights lined up if he can defeat Doheny.

A fight with Junto Nakatani, also a Japanese fighter, would be a huge draw.

The issue with a fight with “Tank,” of course, is the weight. Davis fights three weight classes above Inoue, so it's likely nothing more than a fantasy fight. A matchup with Nakatani, though, appears on the horizon.

Inoue is also now at the point he could probably sell out arenas around the world, including Madison Square Garden in New York. And if he fought Gervonta “Tank” Davis, that would be a marquee event in Las Vegas that would generate serious business, especially on U.S. PPV, pushing it past the money that could be generated in Japan with Nakatani.

For Doheny, a win over Inoue would be a career-defining moment. He would likely be able to secure a number of big fights in the future, and he would be able to prove that he is still one of the best fighters in the world.

This fight is a must-watch for any boxing fan. Inoue is one of the most exciting fighters in the world, and Doheny is a tough and experienced opponent. The fight is sure to be a brawl, and the winner will have a lot to celebrate.

The Fight's Significance

The fight between Inoue and Doheny is more than just a title defense. It is a chance for Inoue to cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. It is also a chance for Doheny to make a statement and show that he can still compete at the highest level. In addition, The fight will be held in Japan, a country that is home to some of the most passionate boxing fans in the world. This fight will be a celebration of the sport, and it is sure to be a memorable event.

The Verdict

This fight is sure to be exciting and compelling, and it will be interesting to see what happens next for the winner. If Inoue can continue his winning ways, he could be on his way to becoming a legend of the sport. If Doheny can pull off the upset, he would be able to make a major statement and secure his place as one of the best fighters in the world.