By: Sean Crose
TJ Doheny could nicely have been the primary fighter to offer pound for pound celebrity Naoya Inoue a problem within the ring since Nonito Donaire put Inoue on the mat of their extraordinary first battle again in 2019. Whereas it’s true, Naoya was just about in cost all through Tuesday’s battle with Doheny, the veteran challenger proved difficult to the unified tremendous bantamweight champion of the world. It was an fascinating battle that sadly ended too quickly.
The primary spherical was uneventful for probably the most half. It appeared like maybe Inoue was puzzled by Doheny’s southpaw jab. Inoue landed onerous and clear across the midway level of the second. Ending the spherical with a mix to the physique, Inoue extra comfy looking his southpaw foe. With that being mentioned, Doheny as soon as once more appeared to puzzle Inoue along with his southpaw jab within the third. The Irishman certainly could have received the spherical.
Doheny carried out nicely within the fourth, however Inoue’s pictures had been merely stronger, cleaner and extra correct. Assured is his capacity, Inoue continued to pursue his prey within the fifth, touchdown onerous to Doheny’s physique. Inoue cruised alongside within the six, however Doheny – awkward, recreation, and onerous punching – was very a lot within the battle. Nonetheless, Inoue took to essentially chopping away on the challenger at spherical’s finish.
Doheny abruptly stopped preventing seconds into the seventh, and started to limp throughout the ring, finally dropping to 1 knee. The referee had no selection however to cease the battle. Warrior that he was, nonetheless, Doheny limped over to Inoue after getting up, and congratulated the nonetheless undefeated champion. Whereas it lasted, it was a really entertaining battle.
“This battle didn’t finish how we anticipated,” Inoue (by way of The Guardian) mentioned after the bout had concluded, “however preventing a protracted profession like this, this can be a evening we’d have.” Positive sufficient, Inoue went on to state in entrance of the gang at Ariake Area in Tokyo: “I need to have a good time how TJ Doheny introduced the battle into this ring”
There have been, in fact, those that felt that Inoue didn’t look his finest towards the decided Doheny. Inoue, nonetheless, nonetheless exuded confidence. “You’ll be able to count on extra from me sooner or later,” he claimed. “To all of the followers world wide thanks a lot for watching this battle. This isn’t every little thing that I’ve, I nonetheless have a protracted method to go.”
*Pictures: Prime Rank
