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Pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue will make the second defense of his undisputed super bantamweight championship against Irish southpaw TJ Doheny at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Tuesday, September 3. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the U.S.
Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) is coming off a devastating sixth-round knockout over another left-hander, Luis Nery, in May. However, the Japanese boxer-puncher was decked by a ferocious left in the opening round before taking command and battering the Mexican from pillar to post for the remainder of the fight.
“I know in my mind what I need to do [against Doheny],” said Inoue via translator at the final press conference. “Doheny is a fighter who doesn’t want to win by decision. That’s why I have to be careful. I am conscious that I have to be alert.
“I have pushed myself so hard. I am proud to say I practiced the hardest of my career for this.”
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Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) hopes to give Inoue flashbacks to the first round of the Nery fight. Having begun his career at 122 pounds, the former IBF super bantamweight champ is the naturally bigger man and he’s a heavy puncher himself, with the left hand his signature weapon.
“My motivation has come from tasting being a world champion and trying to get back, but it is hard to get up for fights when they’re not world championship fights,” said Doheny.
“I’ve always had the self-belief that I belong at this top table with these champions and I’ve always believed I’d get back here. It has taken me a bit longer than I imagined but I’ve enjoyed the climb and I’m ready to put on a good show on Tuesday.”
The Sporting News will provide live coverage of the undercard and round-by-round scoring for the main event in Tokyo.
Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny live updates, highlights, and commentary
4:26 p.m. JST/ 3:26 a.m. ET: It’s over and we’ve gone the distance. Shimomachi had a great closing round and may have tightened up the scoring.
4:23 p.m. JST/ 3:23 a.m. ET: We’re in the 10th and final round of a very close fight for the Japanese super bantamweight title. The knockdown by Tsugawa could make all the difference in the scoring. Shimomachi needs a good finish and he’s off to a good start.
4:17 p.m. JST/ 3:17 a.m. ET: BIG LEFT HOOK-RIGHT HAND KNOCKDOWN BY TSUGAWA IN ROUND EIGHT!! Shimomachi had been scoring heavily and left himself open to that shot. It took time for Shimomachi to shake that punch off, but he’s now fighting back gamely.
4:15 p.m. JST/ 3:15 a.m. ET: Tsugawa has been timing his raids better over the last two rounds and has been having some real success, particularly with the right hand. Not be outdone, Shimomachi blasts back with a sharp combination to end round seven. This is a very close fight.
4:05 p.m. JST/ 3:05 a.m. ET: Three solid left hands, two to the head and one to the body, land from Shimomachi in round five. The body shot affected Tsugawa in what was the best round of the fight.
3:59 p.m. JST/ 2:59 a.m. ET: We’re through three rounds. Shimomachi has come into this fight by being more aggressive and timing the shorter man with counterpunches to both head and body. This has been a high-contact bout so far and there’s everything to fight for.
3:51 p.m. JST/ 2:51 a.m. ET: Excellent first round with the highlight punch a big right hand from Tsugawa that landed hard on his southpaw opponent.
3:40 p.m. JST/ 2:40 a.m. ET: The first fight is about to get underway. Toshiki Shimomachi takes on Ryuya Tsugawa in a 10-round super bantamweight bout. The fighters are on their way to the ring.
3:30 p.m. JST/ 2:30 a.m. ET: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue’s defense of his undisputed super bantamweight title against Irishman TJ Doheny. We’re in the countdown!!!
How to watch Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny
- Channel/live stream: ESPN+
Fight fans can watch Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $10.99 on a monthly subscription and $109.99 on an annual subscription.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny, exclusively on ESPN+
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny start time
- Date: Tuesday, September 3
- Time: 5:45 a.m. ET | 2:45 a.m. PT (Outside of the U.S., the international broadcast begins at 2:30 a.m. ET)
- Main event start time (approx.): 7:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. PT
- Location: Ariake Arena — Tokyo, Japan
The Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny main card airs at 5:45 a.m. ET. Inoue and Doheny should make their way to the ring around 7:30 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny start time in Japan
Inoue vs. Doheny starts at 6:45 p.m. local time. The main event should begin around 8:30 p.m. local time, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny fight card
- Naoya Inoue (c) vs. TJ Doheny for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles
- Yoshiki Takei (c) vs. Diago Higa for the WBO bantamweight title
- Ismael Barroso (ic) vs. Andy Hiraoka for the interim WBA super lightweight title
- Jin Sasaki vs. Qamil Balla; Welterweights
- Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Ryuya Tsugawa; Super Bantamweights