Inoue Retains Undisputed Championship Via Stoppage Due To Apparent Injury

The next chapter in the career of undefeated four-division world champion Naoya Inoue, a man who also holds the distinction of becoming an undisputed world champion in both the 118lb. Bantamweight and 122lb. Jr. Featherweight divisions was one that some felt was a formality. Despite suffering a scare in his last title defense of the Undisputed Jr. Featherweight crown against former world champion Luis Nery, where he was knocked down for the first time in his career, some thought his opponent in former IBF Jr. Featherweight world champion TJ Doheny would be overmatched due to the often devastating punching power that Inoue has.

What fans including those who were in attendance at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on September 3rd were treated to, however, was a surprisingly tactical battle where the challenger more than held his own, despite the bleak odds that he faced.  Doheny used frequent faints to disrupt Inoue’s ability to find a rhythm and put forth a consistent attack. This not only kept the pace of the combat at a measured tactical pace where frankly it seemed in spots to favor the challenger. Doheny was also very tactical in how he picked his spots to throw his punches, mixing from the body to the head and only throwing short combinations. While this was an effective strategy for several rounds, Inoue’s punches were harder and more effective when he did land them.

Although Doheny succeeded in keeping the fight at a pace that seemed to nullify the champion’s usual consistent pressure and offensive attack where it was more competitive, after four rounds, Inoue was able to let his hands go more frequently, landing hooks to the body and the head of the challenger. It was one left hook to the body in the latter seconds of the fifth round that seemed to have Doheny hurt. As round six began, Inoue threw a combination that had Doheny on the ropes attempting to use his lateral movement to defend and evade the incoming punches from the champion. It seemed as Doheny was attempting this as he got hit with a body shot, he appeared to turn awkwardly and indicated an injury before limping back to his corner, clearly compromised in some way. The fight was over just sixteen seconds into round six. 

While this fight did not offer the conclusive outcome that most have come to expect whenever Naoya Inoue fights, there is something to be said about how competitive the fight seemed to be before the stoppage and that this followed a bout where Inoue was knocked down for the first time in his career and faced a determined effort from Luis Nery. In that, it was the first time in Inoue’s career that the fighter known to his fans as “The Monster” appeared to show that like the rest of us, he is human. Ultimately, the champion did what he had to do here in this fight and retained his title via stoppage due to an apparent injury to a fighter in TJ Doheny, who had never been stopped previously in his career. As to what extent of the injury and exactly what that injury was is unknown as of this writing, but in defeat, Doheny was not only able to give a good account of himself, but was also able to ask a question that seems to follow what happened to Inoue in his last bout against Nery. After winning world championships in four different divisions in dominant fashion and becoming an undisputed world champion in two of those divisions, has Naoya Inoue hit his ceiling as far as how high he can go at 122lbs. where he will be able to compete at or near his best? 

It goes without saying that no matter how dominant a fighter is regardless of weight class that as time goes on the accumulation of fights as well as the physical toll one endures during training does have an affect and opposition does tend to be able to withstand punches better as a fighter moves up in weight than was the case in lower divisions for the reason that in a lot of cases, those fighters are natural at the given weight where the fight is taking place. Although this does not necessarily mean that Naoya Inoue is necessarily at a point where he might be declining as far as his skills or punching power is concerned, his last two outings have shown that he is indeed human and may likely have a harder time with the competition as a Jr. Featherweight or even if he chooses down the line to test the waters in the 126lb. Featherweight division in an attempt to become one of the rare fighters to have won world championships in five different divisions.

Regardless of what may be ahead for Inoue down the road, clearly we are witnessing a future Hall of Famer that is one of the rare fighters where the term “Generational Talent” is more than appropriate to describe. This observer is looking forward to whatever might be next.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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A Monster Destroys: Inoue KO'S Donaire In 2 In Rematch

As the son of a movie buff, this observer grew up with a father who instilled many lessons on his son. Two lessons with regard to movies that I have cone to appreciate as I have gotten older amongst many memories of my father that I think of often were very seldom  does a sequel live up to an original, and there is nothing like a good monster movie.

The first time world champions Nayoa Inoue and Bonito Donaire met in 2019, it was a thrilling back and forth battle, which was hailed as one of the best fights in recent memory and that year's Fight of The Year. As thrilling as that fight was with Donaire putting forth a determined effort in being the first fighter to significantly test a fighter known simply as “The Monster,” it was Inoue who emerged from that battle still undefeated.

Fast forward two and a half years later and both men were once again world champions in the 118lb. Bantamweight division and each remained regarded as the best fighters in the division. Despite the issue of an ongoing global epidemic of COVID-19 that emerged shortly after the first fight, sometimes you just have a feeling when two fighters produce an all-time classic as Inoue and Donaire did that there would inevitably be a continuation to the story between two great fighters.

As someone who has spent most of his life writing about and covering Boxing and by extension combat sports, such a feeling hit me shortly after that fight. The anticipation of the rematch only grew when Donaire regained a portion of the World Bantamweight championship May of last year creating the possibility of not only a second encounter between the two, but also a unique distinction of a rematch being a unification bout as the first encounter was in the same weight class. A distinction that yours truly does not believe has been done before in the history of Boxing.

While such a distinction is also a reflection, whether it be positively or negatively depending on one’s perspective of the politics that be in the sport, it did nevertheless add to the anticipation of what would be one of the most eagerly awaited rematches in recent memory. A rematch that would take place on June 7th at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The site of the first meeting between Inoue and Donaire in November 2019.

In previewing this second encounter, I stated that the key in my eyes would be whether or not Donaire would be able to dictate the tempo of the combat. While I also felt that this could be easier said than done,  I felt that Donaire needed to implement a tactical approach this time around and not be baited into a toe to toe war as was the case in the first fight.

Although it is difficult to say what Donaire intended to do from a strategic standpoint, he began the rematch by coming forward and landing a left hook to the head of Inoue. The reason why yours truly suggests that it is difficult to say what Donaire intended to do is because frankly, he was not given time to try and implement any kind of strategy.

It was not long before the two fighters were exchanging heavy punches in a similar fashion as they did in the first fight. Inoue would drop Donaire in the closing seconds of round one with a right hand to the head. Donaire was able to get up, but clearly benefited from there only being seconds remaining in the round.

A clearly hurt Donaire seemingly decided to try and goe toe to toe with Inoue from this point in the fight. A decision that would prove to be costly. Inoue quickly staggered Donaire with a left hook to the head that nearly sent him down. Despite Donaire ‘s ability to somehow stand up to that punch, a follow up barrage from Inoue highlighted by a crushing left hook to the head sent Donaire to the canvas for a second and final time. The fight was over.

Although it can at times be cliché to say, it was a statement making performance by Nayoa Inoue in such a way as it should remove any doubt as to questions regarding the first fight in that, that encounter was reasonably close and competitive. In simple terms Nayoa Inoue lived up to his “Monster” moniker by destroying his opponent in such a way that it should not only cement his status as the top fighter in the 118lb. Bantamweight division, but also serve notice to any would be challengers including current WBO   world champion Paul Butler. As the holder of the WBA, IBF, and now WBC crowns at Bantamweight, with the WBA and WBC titles being won from Donaire in separate fights, Nayoa Inoue is clearly in the driver’s seat and anyone looking to make strides in the division will have to try and go through him.

As for the thirty-nine year old future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire, while this is a defeat that will take time to digest and come back from, he has always represented Boxing with class and dignity as one of the sport’s great ambassadors. Although some might be tempted to say it might be time for him to hang up his gloves after world championships in five different weight classes and forty-nine professional fights, if there is a silver lining to this loss for Donaire, it is though the loss and knockout was brutal, it did not come as a result of a scenario in which he sustained a prolonged beating over the course of a long and grueling fight. Donaire does still have his health and despite the loss, he may not be done as a fighter. To add to that silver lining in closing, at least it will be Donaire who will be able to decide what he wants to do next.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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