Naoya Inoue vs TJ Doheny LIVE: Latest fight updates and results

Inoue parries that lead Doheny’s hand again and again, trying to show he is not bothered by it.

Hard cross to the body now, by Inoue, and Doheny falls back to the ropes before desperately trying to regain his composure.

He’s trapped in the corner, and Inoue looks for another opening. He just misses with an overhead cross this time.

Doheny blocks a one-two then lands a pawing jab. He defends the cross to the body with his arm. Inoue with a flurry in the corner, but Doheny covers up well enough.

Doheny stands southpaw, Inoue orthodox. Doheny, a former world champion, never stopped. Inoue will appear to replace him tonight.

Doheny flicked out the lead hand early, trying to gauge the distance. Inoue has a stone face but looks like a small person there.

The Japanese star has surrounded the Irishman but hasn’t revealed much yet. The crowd was quiet and respectful, as they tend to be at this exhibition in Tokyo.

Now Inoue fires a cross to the body. He continued to stalk Doheny, who kept his lead right hand active.

Now the legendary Jimmy Lennon Jr. is doing the introductions of the fighters.

Inoue stayed light on his feet, moving his gloves and head as well.

Just then, Doheny enters the ring at Ariake Arena, and now it’s Inoue’s turn!

The main event is just a few moments away…

Now the Irish national anthem is in progress. Doheny looked stoic and focused.

In the Japanese national anthem.

“He won his first world title 10 years ago, has added world titles at three different weights, and has stopped or knocked out 24 of the 27 men he has met in professional fights.

“This morning in Japan, Inoue will have his 23rd world title shot when he defends his super bantamweight title against tough Irish-Australian TJ Doheny. About six rounds will go.”

read Steve BuncePreview the battle in full, here:

One battle left tonight/today/this morning, depending on where you follow!

It’s the main event: Naoya Inoue defends his undisputed super-bantamweight title against TJ Doheny.

Yoshiki Takei def. Daigo Higa via unanimous decision (115-112, 114-113, 114-113).

It was close, but Takei survived the knockdown to win and retain the belt – he looked relieved!

Higa, meanwhile, smiled wryly before greeting Takei.

The last round. knockdown can prove crucial in such a close fight! Takei should definitely finish strong…

He supports Higa and drops a pair of hooks. More offense now, and Higa looks a little worried!

Takei is trying to solve it! There were spots of blood, perhaps diluted by sweat, drawn on Higa’s cheeks.

Higa tried to hang on. He throws some looping shots, but Takei does a more accurate job.

We will go to the scorecards. This can be very interesting.

In the championship round.

Both of them were cut – Takei in the nose and Higa in the left eye.

Another back uppercut from Takei, but Higa fires back and gets a knockdown with a left hook! Takei complains that he should slip, but no luck!

He stood back up, his eyes cut now.

He immediately went after Higa, trying to catch the challenger’s momentum.

Higa invested in the body, while Takei continued to attack his main challenger’s head.

Higa with a right cross now, then a jab.

Takei with an uppercut that lands halfway, before skipping away.

Again Higa tormented Takei, caught him in the ropes and wore him down.

This has been an exciting battle.