By: Sean Crose
TJ Doheny might effectively have been the primary fighter to provide pound for pound famous person 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 attention-grabbing 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 exhausting and clear across the midway level of the second. Ending the spherical with a mixture to the physique, Inoue appeared to be extra snug searching his southpaw foe. With that being mentioned, Doheny as soon as once more appeared to puzzle Inoue together with his southpaw jab within the third. The Irishman certainly might have gained the spherical.
Doheny carried out effectively within the fourth, however Inoue’s photographs have been merely stronger, cleaner and extra correct. Assured is his potential, Inoue continued to pursue his prey within the fifth, touchdown exhausting to Doheny’s physique. Inoue cruised alongside within the six, however Doheny – awkward, sport, and exhausting punching – was very a lot within the struggle. Nonetheless, Inoue took to essentially chopping away on the challenger at spherical’s finish.
Doheny abruptly stopped combating seconds into the seventh, and commenced to limp throughout the ring, finally dropping to 1 knee. The referee had no selection however to cease the struggle. Warrior that he was, nevertheless, Doheny limped over to Inoue after getting up, and congratulated the nonetheless undefeated champion. Whereas it lasted, it was a really entertaining struggle.
“This struggle didn’t finish how we anticipated,” Inoue (by way of The Guardian) mentioned after the bout had concluded, “however combating an extended profession like this, this can be a night time we would have.” Positive sufficient, Inoue went on to state in entrance of the group at Ariake Area in Tokyo: “I need to rejoice how TJ Doheny introduced the struggle into this ring”
There have been, after all, those that felt that Inoue didn’t look his finest in opposition to the decided Doheny. Inoue, nevertheless, nonetheless exuded confidence. “You possibly can count on extra from me sooner or later,” he claimed. “To all of the followers around the globe thanks a lot for watching this struggle. This isn’t every thing that I’ve, I nonetheless have an extended method to go.”
*Photos: Prime Rank
