At Ariake Arena in Koto-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, in front of a sold-out crowd Tuesday on ESPN+, Naoya “Monster” Inoue, the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO World Super Bantamweight Champion, with a record of 28-0 (25) KOs), weighing 122 pounds, from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, southpaw TJ Doheny, who has a record of 26-5 (20 KOs), weighing 121.5 pounds, from Portlaoise, Ireland, and Bondi Junction , New South Wales, Australia, stopped , at 0:16 of the seventh round in a scheduled 12-round bout.
In the first minute, Inoue landed a solid right to the chin of Doheny, who is 4-0 in Japan, along with the final punch of the round. Midway through the third round, Doheny landed several punches to the chin from Inoue, with a good round.
In the fourth round, Doheny landed several lead lefts on the chin of Inoue. In the fifth round, Inoue landed a hard right to the midsection of Doheny. Doheny finished the round with a combination to the chin of Inoue.
In the sixth round, Inoue landed a couple of rights to the chin of Doheny a minute into the round. In the final seconds, Inoue landed a half-dozen unanswered punches, the last one to the back, which hurt Doheny. In the seventh round, Inoue landed several body shots that appeared to dislocate Doheny’s back and stop the fight.
Referee Bence Kovacs.
In the Co-Main Event WBO World Bantamweight champion southpaw Yoshiki Takei, 10-0 (8), #117 ¾, of Yokohama, JAP, won a close decision over the former WBC flyweight champion and no. 1 contender Daigo Higa, won 21-3. -1 (19), #117 ¾, from Tokyo, JAP, over 12 rounds, which saw both on the canvas.
In the third round, Takei landed a right uppercut to the chin of Higa a minute into the round. Takei landed a right cross on the chin of Higa in the last half minute of the round. In the fourth round, Higa landed Takei against the ropes landing a flurry of punches. In the final seconds, Higa landed an overhand left on the chin of Takei.
In the fifth rounds, half way point, Higa landed a power punch that snapped back the head of Takei. In the sixth round, Takei used his southpaw right uppercut midway through the round and knocked Higa’s head back. There is a small cut on the right eyelid of Higa. In the eighth round, Higa bullies Takei into the ropes with body shots. Takei landed some right uppercuts in the last minute.
In the ninth round, Higa had Takei against the ropes with body shots in the first minute of the round. In the tenth round, Higa pinned Takei in a corner with a minute left. His power jab has an effect on Takei who is cut below his left eyebrow.
In the eleventh round, Takei cut the left eyebrow of Higa with blood running down his face. Halfway through a left from Higa to the side, if not the back of the head, Takei drops for an 8 count from referee Katsuhiko Nakamura.
In the first minute of the twelfth and final round, Takei landed half a dozen unanswered punches. In the halfway point, Taki had Higa on his feet and held on the rest of the way. This round won him the battle.
Score 115-112, 114-113 twice.
WBA Interim World Super Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, 25-5-2 (23), #139 ¾, of El Tigre, VZ, Miami, FL, was stopped by southpaw Andy “Da Blade” Hiraoka, 24-0 (19) , #139 ¾ of Yokohama, JAP, at 2:58 of the ninth lap of a scheduled 12 laps.
After eight rounds, Hiraoka was ahead on all cards with 79-72. Referee Chris Young.
Eastern and Pacific Boxing Fed and WBO Asia-Pacific Welterweight Champion Jin Sasaki, 18-1-1 (17), #146 ¼, of Hachioji, Tokyo, JAP, defeated Qamil “Golden Boy” Balla, 15-2-1 ( 8) stopped , #147, of Altona No., Victoria, AUST, in the seventh round of a scheduled 12 laps.
Referee Michiaki Someya
Japanese Super Bantam Champion southpaw Toshiki Shimomachi, 19-1-3 (12), #121 ¾, of Osaka, JAP defeated Ryuya Tsugawa, 13-2 (9), #122, of Sakai, Osaka, JAP 10 rounds defeated.
Referee Takeru Okaniwa. Score 96-93 twice and 97-92.
Ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
