Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny: Statistics and Fight Prediction
On September 3rd, in Tokyo, Japan, a bout for the undisputed super bantamweight championship (up to 55.3 kg) will take place. Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) will defend his title against Ireland’s TJ Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs).
Ready To Fight presents the statistics for Inoue’s second defense of his undisputed championship.
Naoya Inoue
Country: Japan
Age: 31
Weight Division: Super Bantamweight (up to 55.3 kg)
Height: 163 cm
Reach: 171 cm
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 27 wins, 24 by KO, 0 losses
KO Percentage: 88.89%
Total Career Rounds: 162
Recent Fights:
- TKO victory in the 6th round – Luis Nery
- KO victory in the 10th round – Marlon Tapales
- TKO victory in the 8th round – Stephen Fulton
- KO victory in the 11th round – Paul Butler
- TKO victory in the 2nd round – Nonito Donaire
Key Stats:
Total rounds in last 5 fights: 37
Average rounds per fight: 7.4
Longest and shortest fights: Longest – 11 rounds (KO win) / Shortest – 2 rounds (TKO win)
Win rate in last 5 fights: 100%
KO rate in last 5 fights: 100%
Average frequency of fights: 1.66 fights per year
Combined record of opponents at the time of fighting: 169 wins and 12 losses
Best opponent record: Stephen Fulton (21-0 at the time of fight)
Worst opponent record: Nonito Donaire (42-6 at the time of fight)
TJ Doheny
Country: Ireland
Age: 37
Weight Division: Super Bantamweight (up to 55.3 kg)
Height: 166 cm
Reach: 173 cm
Stance: Southpaw
Record: 26 wins, 20 by KO, 4 losses
KO Percentage: 76.92%
Total Career Rounds: 178
Recent Fights:
- TKO victory in the 4th round – Bryl Bayogos
- TKO victory in the 1st round – Japhethlee Llamido
- TKO victory in the 4th round – Kazuki Nakajima
- Unanimous decision loss (UD 10) – Sam Goodman
- TKO victory in the 2nd round – Cesar Juarez
Key Stats:
Total rounds in last 5 fights: 21
Average rounds per fight: 4.2
Longest and shortest fights: Longest – 10 rounds (UD win) / Shortest – 1 round (TKO win)
Win rate in last 5 fights: 80%
KO rate in last 5 fights: 100%
Average frequency of fights: 1.66 fights per year
Combined record of opponents at the time of fighting: 72 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw
Best opponent record: Sam Goodman (13-0 at the time of fight)
Worst opponent record: Cesar Juarez (27-10 at the time of fight)
Fight Background
The matchup against Doheny is not the expected step for Inoue. All of his previous opponents (with the exception of Butler) have been exceptional athletes—active champions, legends (as in the case with Donaire), technical fighters, or top-tier knockout artists. With all due respect, TJ doesn’t fit into any of these categories.
However, even Inoue needs a breather while staying active. Doheny is a boxer who has rightfully earned his contender status—a fighter who, thanks to recent performances, is well-known in Japan. And at 37 years old, receiving the biggest opportunity of his career, he will undoubtedly give it his all.
For TJ, fighting outside his native Ireland or Australia, where he trains, is the norm. Doheny began his career in Australia, then fought in the USA (six times in total), Thailand (once), and Dubai (twice). Japan is steadily catching up with the USA as a non-native country where TJ has fought the most—his bout against Inoue will be his fifth in Japan.
Doheny is a tough southpaw who attacks by switching stances, frequently targeting the body with his powerful left hand, which fits perfectly into the liver area. TJ’s preferred range is close and mid-distance, where he tries to catch his opponents with hooks and overhands, forcing a brawl. Against Sam Goodman—a fellow contender for a fight against Inoue—Doheny managed a competitive and solid performance.
It’s worth noting that TJ is not easy to drop. He has never lost by knockout, keeps his chin tucked, and avoids exposing himself to counterattacks.
The main question here is whether this will be enough against a master like Inoue. Naoya possesses exceptional timing, a jab that is both timely and heavy, nearly perfect bodywork, and a precise, powerful right straight. The Japanese fighter can switch his approach depending on the situation—attacking first or counterattacking. He finds a path to a knockout even when his opponent is behind a tight guard and maneuvering cleverly.
Doheny has never faced an opponent of this caliber before. His main hope is that Naoya will let his guard down and miss something heavy. The chances of this happening, of course, are slim.
Interesting Facts About the Championship Fight
- Doheny continues Inoue’s streak, which began in 2016. That year, Naoya last fought a fellow Japanese boxer—winning by 6th round TKO against Kohei Kono.
- This will be Doheny’s fourth consecutive fight in Japan. In his previous three bouts, he won exclusively by technical knockouts—in the 4th, 1st, and again in the 4th round.
TJ has never lost in Japan: 4 fights, 3 wins by stoppage, and 1 unanimous decision victory.
- The Irishman has the second-highest knockout percentage (76.92%) among Inoue’s recent opponents. The highest was held by Luis Nery (77.14%), who managed to drop the Japanese star but still lost by stoppage. In third place is Nonito Donaire (66.67%).
- Naoya Inoue has the second-highest knockout percentage (88.89% KO victories) in Doheny’s record. The highest belongs to Prayoot Yaijam (100%). However, Yaijam won just one fight (by KO) and lost 15 (12 by knockout).