Naoya Inoue will face TJ Doheny on September 3

NAOYA Inoue will return to the ring on September 3 against well-travelled Irish veteran TJ Doheny.

‘The Monster’ last fought in May, defeating Luis Nery in round six of an exciting contest. Australia’s Sam Goodman had been expected to fight him next, but Goodman opted to take an interim contest, which he won last week. WBA mandatory contender Murodjon Akhmadaliev was also pressing his case for the fight but has seemingly been stepped over as well.

Step forward Aussie-based Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs), a former IBF super-bantamweight world champion. TJ now gets the chance to win back that title, plus three others in Tokyo. Doheny’s name came to light when he appeared on the Inoue-Nery undercard, knocking out unbeaten Bryl Bayogos in round four.

Originally from Portlaois in Ireland, Doheny sought success in Australia and achieved it. After losing to the aforementioned Goodman in March 2023 it appeared his luck had run out, but a trio of wins in Japan has thrown him right back in the mix.

Veteran Ismael Barroso is on the undercard, against unbeaten Andy Hiraoka. Yoshiki Takei defends his WBO bantamweight strap against Daigo Higa while Jin Sasaki also features.