One of the best fighters in the world looks to continue his run as the undisputed bantamweight super champion when Naoya Inoue defends his belts against TJ Doheny at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on September 3. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Inoue (27-0) is a four-weight world champion and two-time undisputed champion. The pound-for-pound star beat Paul Butler to become undisputed at bantamweight and ran through Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales to win all the gold at 122. “The Monster” decimated Luis Nery in May despite being knocked down for the first time in his career.
Doheny (26-4) is a former IBF super bantamweight champion. The Irish fighter is on a three-fight win streak, all of which came by TKO in bouts staged in Japan.
The challenger is a massive underdog. However, "The Power" has won 20 fights via the power punch, so Inoue is taking him seriously.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny, exclusively on ESPN+
"My opponent has knockout power, and he's physically larger than I am," Inoue said via Kyodo News. "So I think the first half of the fight, in particular, is going to be tense."
"I think there will be tests of strength, but I want to keep him at bay with a display of technique that won't require that. My theme is to not let him lay a glove on me."
There will be plenty of world-class action and top-flight prospects on the undercard. Here's a breakdown of all the action.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Inoue vs. Doheny card.
Yoshiki Takei vs. Daigo Higa
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Takei record: 9-0
- Higa record: 21-2-1
- Belts at stake: WBO bantamweight title
The co-main event will see Yoshiki Takei defend the WBO bantamweight title against Diago Higa.
Takei (9-0) is a multi-time kickboxing champion who quickly climbed up the rankings in boxing. The southpaw beat then-WBO titleholder Jason Moloney in his ninth pro fight, though the Aussie star disputed the decision.
Higa (21-2-1) is a former WBC flyweight champion who last held gold in 2018. On a four-fight win streak, Higa has won 19 fights via knockout.
Ismael Barroso vs Andy Hiraoka
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Barroso record: 25-4-2
- Hiraoka record: 23-0
- Belts at stake: Interim WBA super lightweight title
Ismael Barroso defends the interim WBA super lightweight title against Andy Hiraoka.
The 41-year-old Barroso (25-4-2) is a multi-time world title challenger. He lost against Rolando Romero for the WBA super lightweight title following a controversial stoppage and rebounded by taking out Ohara Davies in January via TKO to win the interim belt.
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Hiraoka (23-0) has 18 wins via knockout, winning nine straight via the power punch. The Kanagawa-born fighter has won local gold over the years and looks to get closer to world gold.
Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Ryuya Tsugawa
- Division/Weight: Super Bantamweight
- Shimomachi record: 18-1-3
- Tsugawa record: 13-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Ryuya Tsugawa.
Shimomachi (18-1-3) has fought for local super bantamweight gold since 2020. The 27-year-old is 1-1 in his last two fights, has 12 wins via knockout, and looks to move up in the super bantamweight rankings.
Osaka's Tsugawa (13-1) is on a nine-fight win streak, winning six straight via the power punch.
Jin Sasaki vs. Qamil Balla
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Sasaki record: 17-1-1
- Balla record: 15-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Jin Sasaki faces Qamil Balla.
Sasaki (17-1-1) is on a seven-fight unbeaten streak, with six fights won via TKO. One highlight was a massive TKO 3 victory against Keita Obara.
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A 2012 Olympic runner-up in the selection process, Balla (15-1-1) won Victorian and Australian gold at the amateur level. He is on a four-fight win streak following a 2017 loss to George Kambosos Jr., fighting once a year outside of 2020 and 2021.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny tune-in info
- Date: Tuesday, September 3
- Location: Ariake Arena — Tokyo, Japan
- Start time: 5:45 a.m. ET | 2:45 a.m. PT | 6:45 p.m. local time
- How to watch: ESPN+ ($10.99 for a monthly subscription / annual subscription for $109.99)
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny will be in Japan on Tuesday, September 3. Fight fans in the U.S. can watch Inoue vs. Doheny on ESPN+.
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