1. Inoue vs. Doheny: A Surprising Matchup
This September, Naoya Inoue is set to defend his undisputed super bantamweight championship against TJ Doheny in Tokyo, Japan. The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike, who question the choice of opponent for the undefeated ‘Monster’ Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs).
2. The Controversy Surrounding Inoue’s Choice
At 31, Inoue is at the peak of his career, making his choice to fight the 37-year-old Irishman Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) perplexing to many. Doheny, who has lost four of his last nine fights, seems an unworthy challenger to the dominant champion. This has led to disappointment among fans who expected a more formidable opponent.
3. Doheny’s Struggles and Recent Comeback
Doheny’s career has seen significant ups and downs, with notable losses to fighters like Sam Goodman, Michael Conlan, Ionuț Băluță, and Daniel Roman. Despite his recent three-fight winning streak, these victories were against lower-tier opponents, raising doubts about his readiness to challenge Inoue.
4. Avenging Japanese Defeats: A Motivating Factor?
Some speculate that Inoue’s decision might be influenced by a desire to avenge the losses of fellow Japanese fighters Ryosuke Iwasa, Ryohei Takahashi, and Kazuki Nakajima, all of whom were defeated by Doheny. However, this motivation does little to excite fans looking for a high-stakes, competitive bout.
5. The Rankings and Reality
Doheny is currently ranked #2 by the WBO, #6 by the WBA, #7 by the IBF, and #9 by the WBC. Despite these rankings, his recent record of 5-4 in the last nine fights casts a shadow over his credibility as a top contender for Inoue’s belts.
6. A Safe Fight for Inoue?
Critics argue that this fight represents a safe option for Inoue, who appears to be avoiding more dangerous opponents. The Japanese champion’s reluctance to face his WBA mandatory challenger, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, has been noted, leading to accusations that Inoue is playing it safe.
7. Fans’ Demands: A Call for Greater Challenges
Fans have been vocal about wanting to see Inoue take on tougher competition. The preference is for him to either face his top-ranked WBA contender or move up to the featherweight division to battle some of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.
8. Featherweight Sharks Await
Moving up to featherweight presents a new set of challenges for Inoue. Fighters like Nick Ball, Bruce Carrington, Rey Vargas, Luis Alberto Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, and Rafael Espinoza are all waiting, ready to test Inoue’s mettle in a heavier weight class.
9. Inoue’s Risk-Taking Spirit: Where Is It?
Inoue’s early career was marked by his willingness to take on all comers, but recent decisions suggest a more cautious approach. This change in strategy has led to disappointment among U.S. fans who see his potential move to featherweight as a true test of his greatness.
10. The Future of Inoue’s Legacy
As Inoue prepares for his fight with Doheny, questions about his legacy persist. Will he continue to dominate the super bantamweight division with safe fights, or will he rise to the challenge of facing more dangerous opponents to cement his place among boxing’s elite?
