It's been known since the end of June that
Undisputed Super Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (27-0, 24) [井上尚弥] was expected to defend his titles against former IBF champion TJ Doheny (26-4, 19) in September, despite the WBA ordering Inoue to defend his WBA title against Uzbekistani fighter Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9) [Ахмадалиев, Муроджон Кахарович], doing so as Inoue and Doheny we were into negotiations.
Now it appears that
@FrankiePinero has revealed that the Inoue Vs Doheny bout will take place on September 23rd , which falls on the Autumnal Equinox Day, a national holiday with many big Japanese fighters taking place on or around public holidays.
The bout will serve as the second defense of the Undisputed title for Inoue, who beat Luis Nery earlier this year in his first defense. The bout actually links rather interestingly to the Nery bout, with Doheny being the "reserve" opponent for Nery, ready to step in if Nery missed weight. Although Nery did make weight Doehny still featured on the under-card stopping the previously unbeaten Bryl Bayogos in 4 rounds, and securing a third straight notable win in Japan, following stoppage wins over Japhethlee Llamido and Kazuki Nakajima on previous shows promoted by Inoue's promoter Hideyuki Ohashi. Those wins have really revived the career of the Australian based Irish born Doheny, who seemed to be heading to retirement 4 losses in 6 fights between 2019 and 2023, with those losses coming to Daniel Roman, Ionut Baluta, Michael Conlan and Sam Goodman.
Whilst it is, in many ways, a disappointing match up for Inoue's fans, and something his detractors will likely use against him, it's good to see Ohashi rewarding a fighter who has travelled to Japan and picked up a string of wins, rather than being put on the side after scoring an upset against one of the promoters fighters, something that sadly has happened an awful lot over the years. It's also, perhaps, a case of Inoue "deserving" an easier bout, after a run that has seen him beating Nonito Donaire, Paul Butler, Stephon Fulton, Marlon Tapales and Luis Nery in his last 5, all since December 2022.
The show is also expected to feature a WBO Bantamweight world title defense for
Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8) [武居由樹, as he is said to be taking on former WBC Flyweight champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19) [比嘉 大吾], with Sanspo reporting both of these bouts were set for the same show back in June.
As for venue, that is still yet to be confirmed, though there is speculation it could be in Tokyo or the Es Con Field Hokkaido, which is known to be interested in hosting an Inoue bout.
