Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue defended his titles on Tuesday in Tokyo by dominating TJ Doheny. Hit during a sequence, the Irishman retired in the seventh round.
Still the undisputed champion, still undefeated. This Tuesday in Tokyo, Naoya Inoue retained his four-belt super-bantamweight title by dominating TJ Doheny, former IBF champion in the category. While the Monster was gaining strength over the rounds, the Irishman raised his arm in surrender during the seventh round. Visibly injured in the back, the 37-year-old boxer gave up against the boxer who now has a perfect record of 28 wins for no losses and 25 KOs.
Inoue to move up to the featherweight class?
If the challenge of the day seemed accessible for the man who was competing in his twenty-third consecutive world championship at the Tokyo Dome, it fuels the legend of the man who is often considered the best boxer in the world today, all weights included.
What’s next for Inoue? A new defense against the number 1 challenger for the WBO and IBF, the Australian Sam Goodman? The possibility exists. Unless the Japanese is aiming for the featherweight category. The American Angelo Leo (IBF), the British Nick Ball (WBA) or even the Mexicans Rafael Espinoza (WBO) or Rey Vargas (WBC) could be waiting for him there. But Inoue has always indicated that he wants to take his time for this new rise in category. In history, only five boxers have won titles in five categories: Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather. Joining such a cast would inscribe him even more in the boxing legend.
Mathieu Idiart RMC Sport journalist
