While Nick Ball is a huge favorite going into his clash with TJ Doheny, it’s worth remembering the performance the underdog just put in against Naoya Inoue.
On Saturday evening, the Irishman will head into enemy territory in an attempt to wrestle the WBA featherweight world championship away from the hometown hero at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, UK.
The task is undeniably huge, but in his previous outing, he travelled even further out of his comfort zone, boxing in Japan, against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
And while ‘Power’ didn’t win that night, he put in a tremendous performance.
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TJ Doheny troubled Naoya Inoue with his awkward style
Very few fighters have any success against Naoya Inoue, but TJ Doheny landed more than his fair share of shots.
From word go, the Australian-based boxer utilized his size and southpaw stance to confuse the thunderous puncher.
Determined to pull off the upset and win the undisputed super bantamweight world titles, Doheny was clever with his punch selection, landing shots downstairs, before mixing it up and connecting with powerful blows to his rival’s head.
Aside from getting dropped against Luis Nery, Inoue hadn’t had anywhere near this much trouble since he fought Nonito Donaire in the final of the bantamweight World Boxing Super Series.
Realizing he was in deep waters, the Japanese sensation had to find a way to overcome the tide, which, in a credit to his brilliance, he did.
The future Hall of Famer started to land thudding body shots, which eventually paid dividends, with Doheny pulling out after the accumulative effect injured his back.
While that night ended in disappointment, the 38-year-old can’t wait to prove he has what it takes to beat Nick Ball, in what is likely his final roll of the dice.
Naoya Inoue branded ‘even more legendary’ than Manny Pacquiao
Having already achieved so much, Inoue has undoubtedly carved his legacy in stone.
However, with the 31-year-old still at the top of his game, he could overtake Manny Pacquiao to become the greatest fighter in Asian history.
In fact, one promoter already thinks he’s ahead of the Filipino great.
After beating Doheny, Bob Arum explained why Inoue is even more legendary than Paquiao.