Japanese boxing sensation Naoya Inoue, known as the “Monster,” successfully defended his undisputed super bantamweight world title on Tuesday by stopping Ireland’s TJ Doheny in the seventh round. The bout, held at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, marked Inoue’s ninth consecutive knockout victory.
Inoue, 31, delivered a punishing combination to Doheny’s body, forcing the 37-year-old Irishman to clutch his back and surrender. Despite the dominant finish, Inoue expressed some dissatisfaction with the fight’s abrupt conclusion, stating, “I think there may have been some accumulation of damage. I wanted to make sure I fought a carefully structured fight.”
Inoue, often hailed as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, remains undefeated. He had previously defended his titles in May with a sixth-round technical knockout against Mexico’s Luis Nery, witnessed by 43,000 fans at Tokyo Dome. This victory added to his impressive career record of 28 wins, 24/25 of which came by knockout.
Hailing from Kanagawa Prefecture, Inoue made history in December 2023 when he became just the second fighter ever to unify all four world championship belts in two weight classes, defeating Filipino boxer Marlon Tapales to claim the super bantamweight crown. Tuesday’s win over Doheny further solidified his standing in the sport.
Doheny, a former IBF world champion, has fought several times in Japan, including his victory over Ryosuke Iwasa in August 2018 to claim the IBF super bantamweight title. Despite his underdog status, the Australia-based southpaw employed an unorthodox strategy that initially unsettled Inoue in the early rounds.
However, Inoue’s patience and precise body shots in the fifth and sixth rounds began to wear Doheny down. A swift four-punch combination early in the seventh round left Doheny unable to continue, prompting him to retreat to his corner. After the fight, Doheny required assistance to make his way back to the locker room.
Acknowledging Doheny’s resilience, Inoue reflected on his approach, stating, “Boxing isn’t easy. It’s not a sport where you can defeat your opponent just by going for the knockout. I made sure to understand the fight well and structure my boxing accordingly.”
Earlier in the evening, Japan’s Yoshiki Takei successfully defended his WBO bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over fellow Japanese fighter Daigo Higa. The 28-year-old Takei, a former kickboxer who trains out of Inoue’s Ohashi Gym, improved his professional record to 10-0, including eight knockouts.
With his latest victory, Inoue continues to cement his legacy as one of the most formidable forces in boxing, demonstrating both tactical brilliance and the relentless power that earned him the nickname “Monster.”
