“I’m ready to put on a good show” – Doheny on Inoue fight

Irish left-hander TJ Doheny believes he is “ready to put on a good show” on Tuesday when he takes on Naoya Inoue for the undisputed world super-bantamweight championship.

Doheny previously held the IBF junior featherweight title in 2019 before losing in a unification match to WBA champion Daniel Roman.

The 37-year-old will hope to prove he can still compete at the highest level when he takes on the unbeaten Inoue at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

“Everything is in perfect condition, I couldn’t ask to be in a better position right now and I’m truly honored to be fighting for the undisputed world champion title,” he said at the Top Rank press conference.

“I belong at this table of honor”

Doheny, originally from Portlaoise, has spent his entire career outside of Europe, fighting in Australia, the United States and most recently Japan.

Despite some setbacks since losing his IBF title, Doheny has bounced back with three straight wins in Japan over Kazuki Nakajima, Japhethlee Llamido and Bryl Bayogos.

He admits the road back to winning the belts has been tough, but he’s ready to relish the opportunity after the long journey.

“My motivation comes from the taste of being a world champion and my efforts to come back, but it’s difficult to get up for fights when they’re not world championship fights,” he conceded.

“I always believed I had a place at this high table with these champions and I always believed I would come back here.

“It took me a little longer than expected, but I enjoyed the climb and I’m ready to put on a good show on Tuesday.”

“I have the opportunity to make history”

His opponent, Inoue, is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

The Japanese fighter is undefeated in 27 fights and has knocked out his last eight opponents.

The 31-year-old won his first world title more than 10 years ago and has won all 22 of his world title fights.

Inoue knocked out Englishman Paul Butler to unify all bantamweight titles in December 2022, then did the same in the super bantamweight division, winning the WBC and WBO world titles by stopping Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and adding the WBA and IBF crowns by beating Marlon Tapales in December.

Doheny is well aware of Inoue’s talent and holds him in high regard, but he was keen to stress that it will count for nothing when the two men enter the ring.

“Anybody who is an undisputed world champion deserves the utmost respect, just because he’s my opponent, it doesn’t change anything. We know that Tuesday night, the respect will be gone until the end of the fight,” Doheny explained.

“I have the opportunity to make history, so I’m very motivated to fight for all the belts.

“Danny Roman and I started this belt collection together and it’s time to bring them back.”