October 9, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; TJ Doheny works out for media and fans ahead of his bout Saturday night at the Wintrust Center in Chicago . Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Australia-based Irishman TJ Doheny Further Solidifies Case for Showdown with Naoya Inoue
TJ Doheny, the Australia-based Irishman, secured a fourth-round stoppage victory over Filipino fighter Bryl Bayagos at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, further solidifying his case for a showdown with the “Monster” Naoya Inoue. (BBC, 2023)
The 37-year-old southpaw, who is now 26-4 with 20 knockouts, dominated the match-up, impressing the thousands of fans in attendance. Doheny’s manager, Mike Altamura, has been with the former IBF super bantamweight champion since the early days of his professional career.
“He walks the streets of Tokyo and there’s people out there pointing, coming over for photos, wanting his autograph, saying, ‘Ah, TJ Doheny, TJ Doheny’, and it gives him a rise where he says, ‘You know what, this feels like home. This is the only place I’ve ever fought where I’ve felt completely at home,'” Altamura explained.
Japan has become a second home for Doheny, who has developed a strong following in the country. His previous victories in Japan, including upsets over Ryosuke Iwasa and Kazuki Nakajima, have cemented his reputation as a problem for the local fighters. His first-round knockout of Japhethlee Llamido, who was considered a future star and Inoue’s sparring partner, further demonstrated Doheny’s formidable skills.
As Doheny continues to impress, the prospect of a fight with the “Monster” Inoue in September has gained traction, with Australia’s Sam Goodman scheduled to challenge the Japanese champion in December.
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