By: Sean Crose
Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue returns to the ring on September 3 in his native Japan. The 27-0 Inoue last fought in May, when he knocked out Luis Nery in six rounds. Known as “The Beast,” Inoue has defeated all but three opponents he has come close to. With that said, TJ Doheny, Inoue’s opponent this September, has no intention of becoming the 28th victim of Inoue’s career. At 37, defeating Inoue, who many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, could be a tall order for the 26-4 Doheny. However, boxing is not a place for surprises.
The undefeated Inoue, who often—but not always—fights in his native Japan, is a force to be reckoned with. A master of solid footwork, the man can strike and knock down opponents with frightening power and precision. Inoue may not be invincible—he was, after all, knocked out by Luis Nery last spring—but he is such a force in the ring that it’s hard to really favor one opponent. That’s certainly the case with Doheny. Indeed, Inoue will enter the Ariake Arena ring in September as the favorite.
Ireland’s Doheny, however, probably won’t be dazzled by the bright lights shining on Inoue. The man has fought world titles before. He was, after all, the IBF super bantamweight champion. Plus, Doheny has fought his last three fights in Japan. What’s more, the veteran has won all three of those fights by close range. Don’t expect him to be too fazed by Inoue on Inoue’s home turf. Whether he can withstand Inoue’s hard punches – especially to the body – is another story. Few can.
While Doheny is not considered one of Inoue’s top contenders, it’s always fun to see Inoue in the ring and show off his talent. Simply put, the guy is fun to watch. It’s great to see the aging Doheny get one last shot at glory. Then again, strange things happen in the world of boxing. Inoue may be the heavyweight contender, but it’s worth remembering that Japan is the country that saw Buster Douglas defeat Mike Tyson. Ultimately, when all is said and done, this will likely be a relatively easy win for Inoue in September. Don’t tell that to Doheny, though. There’s no doubt that the man is looking for his own Buster Douglas moment.
Image: Top Rated.
