Naoya Inoue Warns TJ Doheny: ‘I Can Still Evolve Into A Better Fighter’

August 31, 2024
5 months
Naoya Inoue and TJ Doheny stand side by side during the final press conference

Naoya Inoue might be close to the most complete boxer on the planet, but the Japanese star has warned upcoming opponent TJ Doheny that he’s only getting better.

Inoue (27-0-0 24 KO) makes the second defense of his undisputed super-bantamweight world titles against Doheny (26-4-0 20 KO) on Tuesday at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. It’s a fight ‘The Monster’ is expected to win comfortably with betting odds of 1/33 reflecting those expectations.

Inoue has been one of the most dominant champions of this generation, combining his freakish power with elite skills to bulldoze his way through four divisions. After collecting world titles at light-flyweight and super-flyweight, the Japanese fighter became undisputed at bantamweight before repeating the feat at 122lbs at the end of last year.

The Monster was only the second male fighter, after fellow pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, to become undisputed in two divisions during the four-belt era (Oleksandr Usyk, at cruiserweight and heavyweight, has since joined the club).

Inoue’s first defense of his titles didn’t go entirely to plan – at least initially – when, in May, hard-hitting southpaw Luis Nery sent him to the canvas for the first time in his career in the opening round. The champion soon recovered, though, and dismantled the Mexican challenger until the stoppage came in the sixth.

Ireland’s Doheny is expected to be the latest victim on Inoue’s perfect record, but the Japanese star is treating his opponent with total focus.

“I know in my mind what I need to do. Doheny is a fighter who doesn’t want to win by decision. That’s why I have to be careful,” Inoue said. “I am conscious that I have to be alert, be on guard. I have pushed myself so hard. I am proud to say I practised the hardest of my career for this.”

At 31 years old, Inoue is arguably at the peak of his powers, and having shown few weaknesses throughout his 12-year professional career so far, there are few signs that Doheny will face anything less than the ferocious and brilliant fighter who has dominated the lighter divisions.

However, in what might be the last thing the Irish challenger wants to hear, Inoue insists he is only going to keep improving and has been working to raise the bar in his latest training camp.

“I don’t think I am the finished product yet,” he said. “I still have some way to go. I know I can still evolve into a better fighter. I hope the fans can look forward to that as well.

“To win this fight I have to concentrate and knock him out,” Inoue added. “That’s the only thing I keep in mind as I head into this fight. That’s what I’m visualizing now. September 3 is going to be a great fight. Please look forward to it.”

Hingo Inoue, the champion’s father and trainer, echoed his son’s comments by stating that as long as he is focused and concentrated he will leave the ring victorious on Tuesday.

“Doheny is a former champion. He is physical and strong,” he said. “However, Naoya is also very focused. He will not let his guard down at all. As long as Naoya keeps his concentration, I don’t think there will be any problem. We just have to be cool and calm and bring that to the fight. If we can do that there will be no problems.”

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