Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) stopped southpaw TJ Doheny (26-5, 20 KOs) at 0:16 of the seventh round in a scheduled 12-round fight on Tuesday night at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
In the first minute, Inoue landed a solid right on the chin of Doheny, who is 4-0 in Japan, along with landing the final punch of the round. Midway through the third round, Doheny landed several punches on the chin of Inoue, having a good round.
In the fourth round, Doheny landed several lead lefts on Inoue’s chin. In the fifth round, Inoue landed a hard right to the mid-section of Doheny. Doheny ended the round with a combination to the chin of Inoue.
In the sixth round, Inoue landed a pair of rights a minute into the round on the chin of Doheny. In the final seconds, Inoue landed half a dozen unanswered punches, the last one on the back, hurting Doheny. In the seventh round, Inoue landed several body shots that seemed to dislocate Doheny’s back, stopping the fight.
In the Co-Main Event, WBO World Bantamweight champion southpaw Yoshiki Takei, 10-0 (8), won a narrow decision over former WBC Flyweight champion and No. 1 contender Daigo Higa, 21-3-1 (19) over 12 rounds that saw both on the canvas.
In the third round, Takei landed a right uppercut on Higa’s chin a minute into the round. In the last half minute of the round Takei landed a right cross on the chin of Higa. In the fourth round, Higa had Takei against the ropes, landing a flurry of punches. In the final seconds, Higa landed an overhand left on Takei’s chin.
At the fifth round’s halfway point, Higa landed a power jab, knocking Takei’s head back. In the sixth round, Takei used his southpaw right uppercut halfway through the round, knocking the head of Higa back. There is a small cut on Higa’s right eyelid. In the eighth round, Higa punches Takei into the ropes. Takei landed a pair of right uppercuts in the final 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 had Takei pinned into a corner with a minute to go. His power jab affects Takei, who was cut under his left eyebrow.
In the eleventh round, with blood coming down the side of his face, Takei cut the left eyebrow of Higa. Midway a left from Higa on the side if not the back of the head dropped Takei 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. At the halfway point, Taki had Higa out on his feet, holding on the rest of the way. This round won him the fight.
Scores 115-112, 114-113 twice.
WBA Interim World Super Lightweight champion Ismael Barroso, 25-5-2 (23), was stopped by southpaw Andy “Da Blade” Hiraoka, 24-0 (19) at 2:58 of the ninth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
After eight rounds, Hiraoka was ahead on all cards 79-72—referee Chris Young.
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Fed and WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight champ Jin Sasaki, 18-1-1 (17) stopped Qamil “Golden Boy” Balla, 15-2-1 (8) in the seventh round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
The referee was Michiaki Someya.
Japanese Super Bantam champ southpaw Toshiki Shimomachi, 19-1-3 (12), defeated Ryuya Tsugawa, 13-2 (9) over ten rounds.
The referee was Takeru Okaniwa. Scores 96-93 twice and 97-92.
The Ring Announcer was Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
