Naoya Inoue, the pound-for-pound star and unified super-bantamweight champion, is set to face off against Irish warrior TJ Doheny. Doheny, a 37-year-old southpaw, boasts a record of 26-4(20) and has never been stopped. As a former IBF super-bantamweight champion, Doheny has won his last three fights by stoppage, all of which took place in Japan. The upcoming bout between Doheny and Inoue is scheduled for September 3rd, with Doheny looking to claim victory over “The Monster.”
The announcement of the fight between Inoue and Doheny has been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Promoter Eddie Hearn has been particularly vocal in his criticism, describing the match-up as “a horrific mismatch.” Hearn believes that Inoue should be facing his WBA mandatory, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, instead of Doheny. He expressed disappointment in the decision to pit Inoue against Doheny, hinting at the idea that Inoue may be avoiding a potentially tougher opponent in Akhmadaliev.
While Hearn’s comments may come across as harsh to some, they do raise valid points about the quality of the fight. Doheny, who is being labeled as a challenger in this bout, may feel slighted by being characterized as nothing more than a stepping stone for Inoue. Inoue, on the other hand, may face accusations of ducking Akhmadaliev if he avoids facing his mandatory challenger in favor of lesser opponents. The outcome of this fight will determine whether Hearn’s criticisms were justified or not.
The Future of Inoue
If Inoue successfully defeats Doheny and then goes on to face and defeat Akhmadaliev, any criticism surrounding his choice of opponents may fade away. Inoue’s reputation as a top pound-for-pound fighter will be solidified if he can navigate through the challenges posed by his opponents. However, until that happens, the debate surrounding Inoue’s choice of opponents and the legitimacy of his fights will continue to linger. The fight on September 3rd will be a pivotal moment in determining the direction of Inoue’s career and his legacy in the sport of boxing.