Naoya Inoue sits firmly as one of the best P4P #1 fighters, who continues to crush his opponents under his juggernaut. The Japanese fighter has brushed aside every name he has faced and has done it comprehensively and devastatingly. After collecting gold straps for fun, he now wants to cement his legacy as he moves to the last phase of his boxing journey. But TJ Doheny stands between him and the recording of his name as one of the modern boxing greats. Will the challenger be able to do what no one has done till now? Or will it be a repeat of the champion’s relentless approach and a dismantling job?

The fans will find out when the two boxers clash on September 3 at the Ariake Arena. The fight has every flavor to make it an entertaining affair, with the undisputed super bantamweight crown on the line. So, it will be a contest that fans will cherish for a long time. But before that happens, let’s have a look at how the two boxers stack up.

Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny: Tale of Tape

A two-division undisputed champion—Inoue has scaled the heights of boxing success—yet he is only 31. He has bamboozled his opponents with his quick hand movement, swift pair of legs, and heavy-handed punches. The Kanagawa native has made sure his foes face the brunt of his power, as he leaves them face-flat on the canvas. He has an unblemished record to show for his endeavors in different divisions at 27-0 with 24 KOs. But it’s his KO ratio of 88.89% that paints a complete picture. Despite a modest stature of 5’5″ (165 cm) and a reach of  67.5″ (171 cm), Inoue has ensured fans remember him for his knockout power and fan-friendly style.

Doheny, on the other hand, also has similar dimensions and there is nothing on the paper to separate them. He stands tall at 5’5″ (166 cm) and has a near-identical reach of 68.0″ (173 cm). Interestingly, the two also shared an identical weight of 121.8 lbs (55.2 kg), when they last stepped on the weighing scale. However, the similarities don’t end here, as the Irish fighter also has a penchant for knockouts and prefers an aggressive approach when fighting.

But what has propelled the Southpaw to the top is his ability to bounce back strongly after every defeat and, even after sustaining some heart-wrenching defeats, has an impressive record of 26-4 with 20 KOs. The 37-year-old boxer also has a KO ratio of 76.92%, suggesting he still has power in every punch he throws. What’s more? He is a natural super bantamweight, who is comfortable with putting on 122 pounds, unlike Inoue, who started his journey at 108 and then eventually moved up to 122. So, Doheny will have a slight size advantage when the two stand across from each other in the squared circle. But will it be enough for him to snatch all the marbles from Inoue?

Prediction: X factor, and where will the fight be won?

The skillset of ‘Monster’ is clear—his speed, movement, and power. He is also the younger of the two where the years of fighting haven’t diminished his reflexes and the wear-and-tear is not visible yet. The same is not true for the challenger. However, Inoue will be the smaller of the two and there are some concerns about his stationery head, which Luis Nery exploited to the full and even dropped him to the floor before Inoue’s eventual win. This is a game plan that Doheny can follow and put pressure on the champion. It will depend on how well he can execute the plan.

The Portlaoise native has the experience to do it, as he has fought more battles than Inoue and has been through the highs and lows of boxing. What will work for him is his craftiness and his ability to create angles with his southpaw style. Not to mention his physicality, which has made him a durable fighter, who can put on a show for 12 rounds without having to worry about his gas tank. It will be an exciting fight for the fans with the fireworks on offer. While the challenger has a realistic chance, Inoue’s skills and power might be enough for him to retain his title.

What do you make of this coming fight between Naoya Inoue and TJ Doheny? Who do you think will leave the arena as a victor? Let us know in the comments below.