Irish southpaw TJ Doheny believes he is “ready to put on a good show” on Tuesday as he takes on Naoya Inoue for the undisputed super-bantamweight world 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 is aiming to prove that he can still compete at the highest level when he faces the unbeaten Inoue in the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
“Everything is in perfect condition I couldn’t ask to be in a better position right now and I’m really honoured to be challenging for the undisputed world championship,” he said at the Top Rank press conference.
‘I belong at this top table’
Doheny, who is from Portlaoise, has spent all of his career outside of Europe, fighting in Australia, US and most recently Japan.
Despite some setbacks, since he lost his IBF title, Doheny has bounced back with three consecutive wins in Japan against Kazuki Nakajima, Japhethlee Llamido and Bryl Bayogos.
He admits the road back to challenging for belts has been a hard one, but he is willing to savour the occasion after the long journey.
“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,” he conceded.
“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.”
‘I have the opportunity to make history’
His opponent, Inoue is regarded as one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world.
The Japanese fighter is unbeaten in 27 contests and has knocked out his last eight opponents.
The 31-year-old secured his first world title more than 10 years ago and has won all 22 of his world championship bouts.
Inoue knocked out England’s Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles in December 2022 and then did likewise in the super bantamweight division, collecting the WBC and WBO world titles by stopping Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and adding the WBA and IBF crowns by seeing off Marlon Tapales in December.
Doheny is well aware of the talent of Inoue and holds him in high regard, but was keen to stress that will count for nothing when the two men enter the ring.
“Anyone who is an undisputed world champion deserves the utmost respect just because he is my opponent doesn’t make it any different, we know come Tuesday night the respect will go out the window until after the fight,” Doheny explained.
“I have the opportunity to make history, so I am highly motivated fighting for all the belts.
“Danny Roman and I started this collection of belts together and it’s time to get them back.”
