Greatest Boxing

Injury Halts Doheny’s Brave Challenge Against Inoue: A Brutal Body Assault Ends the Contest in Round 7

In the super-bantamweight clash in Tokyo, Irish veteran TJ Doheny’s quest to reclaim world glory came to a sudden halt as an injury forced him to retire in the seventh round against Japan’s pound-for-pound king, Naoya Inoue. The highly skilled Inoue, now 28-0 with 25 KOs, successfully defended his undisputed super-bantamweight titles at the Ariake Arena, once again proving why he’s among boxing’s elite.

From the opening bell, Inoue demonstrated his trademark sharpness and precision. While Doheny, a seasoned southpaw, was determined to stay competitive, the Japanese champion’s relentless body attack quickly set the tone. Doheny, who entered the ring with three recent victories in Japan, showed resilience, landing a few notable shots in the third round. However, it was clear that Inoue’s power and timing were beginning to wear him down.

Round six saw the tide turn decisively in favour of the undefeated champion. Inoue unleashed a punishing combination to the body, targeting Doheny’s midsection with a series of left hooks and right hands. The Irishman visibly struggled as the bell rang, retreating to his corner, clearly feeling the effects of the relentless onslaught.

The seventh round proved to be the last. Just 16 seconds in, Doheny winced in pain, clutching his side and hip after absorbing yet another powerful body shot from Inoue. Unable to continue, Doheny took a knee, and the referee, Bence Kovacs, waved off the bout. The injury spelled the end of Doheny’s brave challenge and marked the first time he had ever been stopped in his career.

Despite the disappointing end, Doheny gave a valiant effort. At 37 years old, the former IBF super-bantamweight champion was facing a monumental task against a fighter many consider to be the best in the world. Inoue’s ferocity, particularly in his bodywork, was simply too much to overcome.

For Inoue, the victory extended his knockout streak to nine and solidified his dominance at 122 pounds. The four-weight world champion is now eyeing future challenges.

As Inoue’s legend grows, Doheny’s future remains uncertain. Yet, there’s no doubt that his heart and determination will be remembered as he continues to be a respected figure in the sport.

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Filed under: Super Bantamweight - @ September 3, 2024 11:59 pm

Tags: Naoya Inoue, TJ Doheny