Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super-bantamweight titles against TJ Doheny on Tuesday, as the Irishman suffered an injury in Tokyo.
Inoue had started patiently but began to shift through the gears when Doheny clutched at his hip or lower back in round seven, leading the fight to be waved off.
The southpaw, 37, let out a “F***!” in the Ariake Arena, before limping over to apologise to Inoue, 31.
The result kept Inoue, arguably the No 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, unbeaten. It also ensured that the Japanese superstar retained his belts at super-bantamweight, following his world-title reigns in three other divisions.
Re-live updates and results from Inoue vs Doheny and the undercard, below.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
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Naoya Inoue retains undisputed super-bantamweight titles against TJ Doheny in Tokyo
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Doheny suffers injury to hip or lower back in round seven, leading fight to be waved off
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Inoue’s promoter Bob Arum hints at December bout in Japan and 2025 contest in Las Vegas
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The bizarre moment that denied Inoue a statement win over Doheny
The bizarre moment that denied Inoue a statement win over Doheny
13:59 , Alex Pattle
Naoya Inoue had started patiently against TJ Doheny. At first, the undisputed super-bantamweight champion was content to parry jabs and press forward gently. But as Tuesday’s main event in Tokyo progressed, the “Monster” began to sharpen his claws. And just as Inoue was starting to slash at Doheny, the Irish veteran was perhaps saved by an injury – ill-timed for the fans in the Ariake Arena, superbly-timed for the fading challenger.
“F***!” yelled the 37-year-old Doheny, clutching his hip or lower back – it was difficult to ascertain the specific spot that was afflicted, given the size of those gloves. His stray shout landed somewhere in the quiet, respectful crowd. He proceeded to limp over to Inoue, apologising for the abrupt end to the fight, which denied the four-weight world champion a statement win.
Full fight report:
The bizarre moment that denied Naoya Inoue a statement win over TJ Doheny
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
14:30 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
14:15 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:44 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:30 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:23 , Alex Pattle
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:16 , Alex Pattle
Doheny’s team help him limp out of the arena.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:12 , Alex Pattle
Inoue’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, suggests that the champion will return to the ring at the end of the year.
Arum also wants Inoue to box in the US next year – in Las Vegas.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:08 , Alex Pattle
Inoue suggests the end might have come due to “an accumulation of damage that I did to him”.
He adds: “Tonight, I really wanted to go through the fight one round at a time. I wanted to slow down, hand my opponent damage.
“This fight didn’t end in the way we expected, but if you’re going to have a career like this, [maybe this can be useful].
“I am still improving. I want to acknowledge how TJ Doheny brought the fight tonight, and I want to celebrate his career.”
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:02 , Alex Pattle
Naoya Inoue def. TJ Doheny via seventh-round TKO (0:16).
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
13:01 , Alex Pattle
Round seven
Oh, no! It’s waved off early in round seven due to injury! What a shame.
Doheny dropped to one knee, before trying to drag himself up.
“F***!” he yelled, before limping over to Inoue.
He appeared to point to his hip, but it initially seemed to be a leg injury.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:59 , Alex Pattle
Round six
Inoue is just wide with a cross, as he pressures Doheny. Heavy right hook to the body, then one up top! Lovely work.
Doheny blocks the worst of it, but he grimaces anyway. The 37-year-old is feeling the pace now.
Left hook to the body by Inoue. This body work is surely going to pay off…
A cross lands there now. Doheny with one of his own, but he’s breathing with his mouth open. He’s staggered slightly by a hook to the head.
A barrage by Inoue late in the round! He’s going through the gears now!
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:54 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Now it’s Doheny who comes forward. He lands a cross before grabbing Inoue.
Inoue blocks a series of jabs. He’s waiting for a counter opportunity, it seems.
He moves off the ropes, and Doheny slaps a right hook to the body of the champion.
Grazing jabs by Inoue, who backs up Doheny and fires off shots to the head. But Doheny defends well.
Brutal uppercuts to the body by Inoue. Now a left hook to the ribs.
Inoue is increasing the tempo here – he needed this.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:50 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Jab to the mid-section by Inoue. A cross to the head is on point for Doheny, and a left hook!
Inoue with a left hook of his own. He’s beginning to increase his activity. A jab stings Doheny.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:46 , Alex Pattle
Round three
Inoue stays on the front foot. Each man has his lead hand extended, buzzing in his opponent’s face like a fly.
Now Inoue blocks a southpaw cross from Doheny. A counter jab by Inoue is just off-target.
Inoue feints while darting into range, and Doheny lurches backwards.
A cross just about lands for Doheny now, and Inoue acknowledges a grazing left hook. Uppercut to the body by Doheny, then a flurry of short shots to the head.
Doheny is boxing well in this round. Inoue is staying patient.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:42 , Alex Pattle
Round two
Inoue parries that lead hand of Doheny time and again, trying to show he’s not bothered by it.
Hard cross to the body now, by Inoue, and Doheny falls back into the ropes before desperately trying to regain composure.
He’s trapped in the corner, though, and Inoue is looking for another opening. He just misses with a cross upstairs this time.
Doheny blocks a one-two then lands a pawing jab. He defends a cross to the body with his forearm. Inoue with a flurry in the corner, but Doheny covers up quite well.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE
12:38 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Doheny stands southpaw, Inoue orthodox. Doheny, a former world champion, has never been stopped. Inoue will look to change that tonight.
Doheny flicks out his lead hand early on, trying to gauge range. Inoue is stone-faced but visibly the smaller man in there.
The Japanese star corners the Irishman but is not opening up much yet. The crowd is quiet and respectful, as they tend to be at these shows in Tokyo.
Now Inoue fires off a cross to the body. He continues to stalk Doheny, who is keeping an active lead right hand.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Fighter introductions
12:33 , Alex Pattle
Now the legendary Jimmy Lennon Jr carries out the fighter introductions.
Inoue is staying light on his feet, moving his gloves and head as well.
And here we go…
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Ring walks
12:25 , Alex Pattle
Right then, Doheny makes his way to the ring in the Ariake Arena, and now it’s Inoue’s turn!
The main event is just moments away…
Now the Irish national anthem is under way. Doheny looks stoic and focused.
Onto the Japanese anthem.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Steve Bunce preview
12:19 , Alex Pattle
“It is possible that Naoya Inoue is the very best boxer in the world right now. He is certainly the best boxer you have never heard of or seen fight.
“He won his first world title 10 years ago, has added world titles at three different weights, and has stopped or knocked out 24 of the 27 men he has met in professional fights.
“This morning in Japan, Inoue will have his 23rd world title fight when he defends his super-bantamweight titles against the tough Irish-Australian, TJ Doheny. It will be over by about round six.”
Read Steve Bunce’s fight preview in full, right here:
The best boxer alive is a fighter you’ve probably never heard of
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Main event incoming
12:08 , Alex Pattle
One fight left tonight / today / this morning, depending on where you’re following from!
It’s the main event: Naoya Inoue defending the undisputed super-bantamweight titles against TJ Doheny.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
12:01 , Alex Pattle
Yoshiki Takei def. Daigo Higa via unanimous decision (115-112, 114-113, 114-113).
So close, but Takei survives a knockdown to get the win and retain his belt – he looks so relieved!
Higa, meanwhile, offers a wry smile before congratulating Takei.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:59 , Alex Pattle
Round 12
Final round. That knockdown could prove crucial in such a close fight! Takei surely has to finish strongly…
He backs up Higa and lands a pair of hooks. Now more offence, and Higa looks a bit worried!
Takei is trying for a finish! There are faint streaks of blood, perhaps diluted by sweat, drawn down Higa’s cheeks.
Higa is trying to hang on. He’s throwing some looping shots, but Takei is doing the more precise work.
We’ll go to the scorecards. This could be very interesting.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:54 , Alex Pattle
Round 11
Into the championship rounds.
Both men are cut – Takei on his nose and Higa around his left eye.
Another rear uppercut from Takei, but Higa fires back and scores a knockdown with a left hook! Takei is complaining that it should be a slip, but no luck!
He’s back on his feet, cut over his eye now.
He gets right after Higa, trying to arrest the challenger’s momentum.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:50 , Alex Pattle
Round 10
Higa invests in the body, while Takei continues to attack the head of his challenger primarily.
Higa with a grazing right cross now, then a jab.
Takei with an uppercut that half-lands, before he skips away.
Again Higa bears down on Takei, trapping him against the ropes and wearing on him.
This has been a really fun fight.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:46 , Alex Pattle
Round nine
Another brutal exchange, with Higa leaning on Takei against the ropes! Both men are landing clean shots. What chins they both have.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:42 , Alex Pattle
Round eight
Higa may be slowing down slightly, and Takei is doing well to stay a bit more composed than he has in certain moments.
And right as I say that… Higa with a spearing jab, and a heavy left hook! He corners Takei and leans his weight on the champion.
Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Yoshiki Takei vs Daigo Higa
11:38 , Alex…
