Pound-for-pound dynamo Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight championship with an anti-climactic and injury-induced seventh round-stoppage of Ireland’s TJ Doheny at the Ariake Arena on Tuesday. The official time was 0:16.
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Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) put forth a measured and disciplined approach against the hard-hitting Doheny early and was in command and looking for the finish by the midway point. However, at the beginning of round seven, Doheny cringed after a body attack and claimed he’d suffered what looked like a back injury. The referee intervened immediately and waved the bout over.
“I think it was an accumulation [of punishment],” said Inoue during his post-fight interview. “I continued my fight one round at a time, and I know that boxing is not easy. I slowed him down and gave my opponent damage.
“Probably this fight didn’t end the way we expected, but I have a long career, so please expect more in the next match. I am still in progress. I’d like to celebrate the fight TJ Doheny brought to this ring and his career.”
The champion picked up the first two rounds with aggression and by targeting the body with the right hand. The Japanese fighter theatrically lifted his lead foot every time Doheny stood on it (a common problem when an orthodox fighter faces a southpaw) and was having fun. However, Doheny came to life in the third by attacking the body himself and threading home some nifty headshots.
More irritated than anything else, Inoue went to work from round four onward. He continually trapped the Irishman in the corners and pounded him to the body with both hands. As the rounds passed, the punishment increased and the noise of the shots landing became louder and louder.
At the end of round six, Doheny took a sustained blizzard of shots all around his body and head, which may have contributed to the injury that ended the fight seconds into the next session. It wasn’t the drama one expects from The Monster Show, but these things happen in contact sports.
Inoue wiped out the super bantamweight division by blasting out Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to become undisputed champion. Following that, the Japanese hero disposed of the most dangerous puncher in the division when he got off the canvas to knock Luis Nery out cold.
Only former world champ Murodjon Akhmadaliev and unbeaten Australian Sam Goodman are left at 122 pounds and both would open as huge underdogs against the Japanese powerhouse. Consequently, there are calls for “The Monster” to move up to featherweight and chase a fifth divisional title.
“I understand that he’ll defend his title in Tokyo at the end of the year, then we’re taking him to the United States for a big celebration in Las Vegas,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
Doheny drops to 26-5 (20 KOs).
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Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny live updates, highlights, and commentary
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny: SN live scorecard
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Inoue | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | - | ||||||
| Doheny | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | - |
AND STILL THE UNDISPUTED SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD... NAOYA INOUE. THE OFFICIAL TIME OF THE STOPPAGE IS 0:16 OF ROUND 7.
Round 7: A hard flurry in the opening seconds from Inoue and Doheny is injured. Looks like a back problem and THE REFEREE WAVES THE BOUT OVER. Doheny yells "F***!" in derision in his corner. Anti-climactic ending but the fight was only going one way.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 59-55 Inoue at the time of the stoppage
Round 6: Thumping combination from Inoue, but Doheny will not be quelled. The champ is turning the screw now and lands a massive left hook to the body and a right. Chavez-like bodywork from Inoue, who is threatening to break the challenger in half. Doheny retreats behind a half-hearted jab. BIG RIGHT TO THE EAR by Inoue. SAVAGE TWO-FISTED ATTACK ON THE BELL FROM INOUE. The writing may be on the wall.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Inoue (59-55 Inoue)
Round 5: Plenty of defensive awareness from Doheny, who is moving his head and giving the champ plenty to think about. Lost of posturing and not enough punches. Body attack from Doheny, who is doing significantly better than anyone would have thought. Body assault from the challenger who is blasted back to the mid-section in response. Inoue again to the body and sets up a combination. Doheny appears to be struggling now. Solid left by Doheny at the bell.
SN Unofficial Scorecards: 10-9 Inoue (49-46 Inoue)
Round 4: Left hand by Doheny. And another one. AND A BIG ONE AGAIN NAILS INOUE! Two body shots from Doheny land. Inoue looks agitated as he comes forward. Dohney talking to Inoue, saying "almost" when the champ misses. Body shots from Inoue. Another right to the body from Inoue. Good start from Doheny but he lost his way late in the round.
SN Unofficial Scorecards: 10-9 Inoue (39-27 Inoue)
Round 3: Inoue theatrically lifts his lead foot as Doheny keeps standing on it (natural with an orthodox vs. southpaw confrontation). Doheny with a left to the body. Three-punch salvo from the challenger and a body attack. Inoue gave Doheny the chance and he took it. Another left from Doheny and a combination. Inoue attempts to open his man up by offering target. Two rights by Inoue at the bell.
SN Unofficial Scorecards: 10-9 Doheny (29-28 Inoue)
Round 2: Left to the body from Doheny. Untidy clinch is broken by the referee. Right to the body from Inoue. Doheny looking for the left hand. TWO BIG RIGHTS to the body by Inoue. A right to the head falls just short by the Japanese hero. Doheny seems reluctant to commit for fear of the counter. Right to the body from Inoue and a combination before the bell. Donheny verbally acknowledges that he was hit by a good shot.
SN Unofficial Scorecards: 10-9 Inoue (20-18 Inoue)
Round 1: Southpaw Doheny moving around the perimeter of the ring in the southpaw stance. Inoue feinting and catching the right jab on his left glove. Two right hand attempts from Inoue fail to land clean. Right to the body from the champion. Thumping jab from Inoue at the bell.
SN Unofficial Scorecards: 10-9 Inoue
8:26 p.m. JST/ 7:26 a.m. ET: Both fighters are in the ring and the introductions are about to get underway. Will "The Monster" feast on another super bantamweight, or can Doheny pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets of the modern era?
We now switch to round-by-round scoring for Inoue vs. Doheny.
AND STILL THE WBO BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD... YOSHIKI TAKEI. OFFICIAL SCORES ARE 115-112, 114-113, 114-113. GREAT FIGHT! THE JAPANESE STAR IMPROVES TO 10-0 (8 KOs).
8:07 p.m. JST/ 7:07 a.m. ET: Up next is the main event!!! Pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue defends his undisputed super bantamweight championship against former IBF titleholder TJ Doheny. It's MONSTER TIME!!!!
7:57 p.m. JST/ 6:57 a.m. ET: Heavy shots landed from the champ in round twelve and now Higa is hurt. What a turnaround! Takei coming in looking for the finish. Big combinations landing as Higa backs up and sucks in the air. Huge round for the champion who may have done enough to retain his title. It's been close and competitive.
7:52 p.m. JST/ 6:52 a.m. ET: Takei was hurt again by Higa in the opening seconds of round eleven. Both men have sustained a cut around their left eye during some hellacious exchanges. LEFT HOOK KNOCKDOWN FROM HIGA, who suddenly looks very tired. The knockdown wasn't clean, but it's a 10-8 round for Higa.
7:49 p.m. JST/ 6:49 a.m. ET: Left hook counter from Higa finally gets a reaction - if only slight - from Takei in round ten. The champ is back to boxing smartly, though, and seems to have shaken off the damage. Higa going all out to drain the young champion as we approach the championship rounds.
7:46 p.m. JST/ 6:46 a.m. ET: Takei has a crazy-good chin. Trapped against the ropes early in round nine, the champion was nailed repeatedly by flush power shots. This must be discouraging his Higa, who has 19 knockouts in 21 wins.
7:42 p.m. JST/ 6:42 a.m. ET: The eighth was a slow round until the final minute when both men traded some huge blows. Takei's defenses still look leaky on the retreat but Higa hasn't made him pay as yet. The attacks are too wild and Takei is taking the sting out of the punches.
7:38 p.m. JST/ 6:38 a.m. ET: From a technical standpoint, round seven was the best of the fight from Takei, who maintained his distance and counterpunched well with both hands. Higa's attack has faded for the moment.
7:33 p.m. JST/ 6:33 a.m. ET: Round six comes to an end and again it's the right uppercut from Takei that's the highlight shot. Higa looked troubled by that punch more than once and he needs to time his raids better.
7:29 p.m. JST/ 6:29 a.m. ET: Takei displays tactical superiority on the outside in round five, but he frequently pulls out with his head up and his hands down. If Higa scores a full-force bomb during those moments, then the champion will be in trouble.
7:25 p.m. JST/ 6:25 a.m. ET: Brutal assault from Higa, who tramps the champ against the ropes and lands huge hooks with both hands early in round four. That was a troubling moment for Takei, who took a lot of punishment. Best round of the fight so far by the challenger.
7:21 p.m. JST/ 6:21 a.m. ET: MASSIVE right uppercut scores from Takei in round three. That punch has been like Christmas for the Japanese champion. Higa is a lot more reticent to close the distance now and is sensibly standing timing his attack. Right hook rocks Higa in the closing seconds of the round.
7:18 p.m. JST/ 6:18 a.m. ET: Both men trade in round two and Takei gets the worst of it. Terrific lead right uppercut from Takei scores and a two-punch combination. The champion is finding his rhythm now and Higa felt the power.
7:13 p.m. JST/ 6:13 a.m. ET: Very quiet start in round one with both men feinting for position. Southpaw Takei firing out the right jab, but it's Higa opening up with big power shots and even though nothing landed, he looked very dangerous on the attack.
6:58 p.m. JST/ 5:58 a.m. ET: The all-Japanese world title bout between Takei and Higa is about to begin. Higa is making his way to the ring and seeks to become a two-weight world champion with a victory over his unbeaten countryman.
6:49 p.m. JST/ 5:49 a.m. ET: The co-main event is next with Yoshiki Takei defending his WBO bantamweight crown against Daigo Higa. This is the maiden defense for Takei, who outpointed then-champion Jason Moloney on the Inoue-Nery undercard in May.
ANDY HIRAOKA WINS THIS WBA SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR VIA NINTH-ROUND TKO. THE OFFICIAL TIME IS 2:58. THE JAPANESE FIGHTER IMPROVES TO 24-0 (19 KOs).
6:30 p.m. JST/ 5:30 a.m. ET: BIG LEFT HAND ROCKS BARROSO AND A BODY SHOT CONVINCES THE VETERAN TO GO DOWN FOR A SECOND TIME INR OUND NINE. Hiraoka is on his man and hurts him again with a right hand. Barroso is down again and despite getting up at the count of nine, his corner tells the referee they want the fight stopped. IT'S OVER!!!!
6:26 p.m. JST/ 5:26 a.m. ET: Best round of the fight from Barroso, who landed three left hands solidly in the eighth. It's not the time for Hiraoka to hold his feet or he'll find himself looking up at the lights.
6:22 p.m. JST/ 5:22 a.m. ET: Hiraoka beginning to bust Barroso up badly. In the closing seconds of the seventh, the home fighter was scoring with vicious combinations that had the veteran buzzed.
6:17 p.m. JST/ 5:17 a.m. ET: Right hook counterpunch from Hiraoka scores a knockdown in round six. It wasn't a clean shot and Barroso is unhappy with the call. Big left hand lands from the Japanese fighter just before the bell to end round six.
6:14 p.m. JST/ 5:14 a.m. ET: Best round of the fight for Hiraoka in the fifth. He kept Barroso on the end of the jab and also rocked the older man twice with right hook counters. It's a shutout at the moment and Barroso needs to produce something big to turn this around.
6:06 p.m. JST/ 5:06 a.m. ET: Hiraoka continues to score with the jab and he's doing an excellent job of maintaining distance. Nice right counter rocks Barroso in the third. Barroso is continually falling short but he's always dangerous. Three rounds down and the Japanese fighter has banked all of them.
5:58 p.m. JST/ 4:58 a.m. ET: Battle of jabs in round one in this all-southpaw duel. Hiraoka got the best of it and scored with one memorable left hand when Barroso was against the ropes.
5:52 p.m. JST/ 4:52 a.m. ET: It's been a long wait but Barroso and Hiraoka are in the ring. Many believe this fight will end early as both fighters combine for 41 knockouts in 48 wins.
5:40 p.m. JST/ 4:40 a.m. ET: OK, there was a brief delay due to the early finish in the Sasaki-Balla fight. Barroso and Hiraoka are finishing their warm-ups and will be walking to the ring any minute.
5:27 p.m. JST/ 4:27 a.m. ET: Three more fights to go. Next up we have veteran Venezuelan Ismael Barroso vs. Andy Hiraoka. Barroso is the interim WBA super lightweight champion, but that title will not be on the line as the Japanese Commission does not recognise interim titles. How sensible!
THE WINNER IS JIN SASAKI, WHO SCORES THE STOPPAGE AT 0:52 OF ROUND SEVEN. THE BIG PUNCHING JAPANESE STAR IMPROVES TO 18-1-1 (17 KOs).
5:15 p.m. JST/ 4:15 a.m. ET: IT IS OVER IN ROUND SEVEN! Sasaki unloads with a sustained and devastating attack to the head and body that forces the referee to intervene just as Balla falls to the canvas. That was a pulverising assault and the stoppage was well timed.
5:13 p.m. JST/ 4:11 a.m. ET: Huge right to the body from Sasaki doubles Balla over in round six. The Australian is as game as they come andwill not surrender, but he's way behind and needs a miracle finish. Another HUGE left to the mid-section hurts him again. The visitor is bleeding from the nose as well as the left eye.
5:03 p.m. JST/ 4:03 a.m. ET: BIG KNOCKDOWN FROM SASAKI ON A COUNTER LEFT HOOK IN ROUND THREE. Balla is hurt but comes back blazing with some good power shots. The Australian had switched southpaw, possibly due to the cut impeding his lead eye. He's in trouble!!!
4:59 p.m. JST/ 3:59 a.m. ET: Balla cut around the left eye from a clash of heads. The wound is lateral and should flow down the side of his face. The doctor inspects the cut and allows the fight to continue. To be honest, the Australian has more to worry about and is shipping a lot of punishment through two rounds.
4:52 p.m. JST/ 3:52 a.m. ET: Next up is a 12-round welterweight bout between Japan's Jin Sasaki and Australia's Qamil Balla. This bout is scheduled for 12 rounds.
THE WINNER IS TOSHIKI SHIMOMACHI BY UNANIMOUS DECISION. GIVEN THE KNOCKDOWN HE SUFFERED, SCORES ARE UNCOMFORTABLY WIDE IN HIS FAVOUR: 96-93 96-93 97-92.
4:26 p.m. JST/ 3:26 a.m. ET: It's over and we've gone the distance. Shimomachi had a great closing round and may have tightened up the scoring.
4:23 p.m. JST/ 3:23 a.m. ET: We're in the 10th and final round of a very close fight for the Japanese super bantamweight title. The knockdown by Tsugawa could make all the difference in the scoring. Shimomachi needs a good finish and he's off to a good start.
4:17 p.m. JST/ 3:17 a.m. ET: BIG LEFT HOOK-RIGHT HAND KNOCKDOWN BY TSUGAWA IN ROUND EIGHT!! Shimomachi had been scoring heavily and left himself open to that shot. It took time for Shimomachi to shake that punch off, but he's now fighting back gamely.
4:15 p.m. JST/ 3:15 a.m. ET: Tsugawa has been timing his raids better over the last two rounds and has been having some real success, particularly with the right hand. Not be outdone, Shimomachi blasts back with a sharp combination to end round seven. This is a very close fight.
4:05 p.m. JST/ 3:05 a.m. ET: Three solid left hands, two to the head and one to the body, land from Shimomachi in round five. The body shot affected Tsugawa in what was the best round of the fight.
3:59 p.m. JST/ 2:59 a.m. ET: We're through three rounds. Shimomachi has come into this fight by being more aggressive and timing the shorter man with counterpunches to both head and body. This has been a high-contact bout so far and there's everything to fight for.
3:51 p.m. JST/ 2:51 a.m. ET: Excellent first round with the highlight punch a big right hand from Tsugawa that landed hard on his southpaw opponent.
3:40 p.m. JST/ 2:40 a.m. ET: The first fight is about to get underway. In an all-Japanese shootout, Toshiki Shimomachi takes on Ryuya Tsugawa in a 10-round super bantamweight bout. The fighters are on their way to the ring.
3:30 p.m. JST/ 2:30 a.m. ET: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue's defense of his undisputed super bantamweight title against Irishman TJ Doheny. We're in the countdown!!!
How to watch Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny
- Channel/live stream: ESPN+
Fight fans can watch Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $10.99 on a monthly subscription and $109.99 on an annual subscription.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny, exclusively on ESPN+
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny start time
- Date: Tuesday, September 3
- Time: 5:45 a.m. ET | 2:45 a.m. PT (Outside of the U.S., the international broadcast begins at 2:30 a.m. ET)
- Main event start time (approx.): 7:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. PT
- Location: Ariake Arena — Tokyo, Japan
The Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny main card airs at 5:45 a.m. ET. Inoue and Doheny should make their way to the ring around 7:30 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny start time in Japan
Inoue vs. Doheny starts at 6:45 p.m. local time. The main event should begin around 8:30 p.m. local time, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny fight card
- Naoya Inoue (c) def. TJ Doheny via TKO 7 (0:16) for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles
- Yoshiki Takei (c) def. Daigo Higa via UD 12 (115-112, 114-113, 114-113) for the WBO bantamweight title
- Andy Hiraoka def. Ismael Barroso via TKO 9 (2:58); Super lightweights
- Jin Sasaki def. Qamil Balla via TKO 7 (0:52); Welterweights
- Toshiki Shimomachi def. Ryuya Tsugawa via UD 10 (97-92, 96-93, 96-93); Super Bantamweights