Inoue Vs Doheny headlines stacked September 3rd show!
Earlier today we got the much anticipated Ohashi press conference to announce the ring return of Undisputed Super Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (27-0, 24) [井上尚弥], with the conference announcing some details we knew, some that had been rumoured and correcting some details that turned out to be false.
As had been known the Monster will be facing former IBF champion TJ Doheny (26-4, 19), and Irish born Australian fighter who has had a great run in recent times in Japan, scoring 3 career reviving wins on Ohashi promoted shows, including 2 notable upsets. The “Power” had been brought in as an insurance policy earlier in the year, when he was selected to be the reserve opponent for Luis Nery, in case Pantera missed the Super Bantamweight limit, and it appears Ohashi and Inoue have returned the favour, and rewarded Doehny’s recent wins, with this huge opportunity.
Despite his recent form it’s fair to say that Doheny will be the major under-dog, and few will defend the choice of opponent, but the bout was pushed into negotiations following Sam Goodman’s decision to not take a September date with Inoue.
The chief support bout will be the already known about contest between WBO Bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8) [武居由樹] and former WBC Flyweight champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19) [比嘉 大吾], in what is a mandatory defense for Takei, and also his first defense since beating Jason Moloney in May. Given the power and styles of the two men here, we’re expecting something of a shoot out, though that would favour the naturally bigger Takei, who looks to be a natural Bantamweight, whilst Higa is someone who likely should be making 115lbs, given his stature.
A third bout at world level, albeit at the fringes of world level, will see 41 year old Venezuelan veteran Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23), the current WBA "interim" champion at 140lbs, facing unbeaten 27 year old Japanese hopeful Andy Hiraoka (23-0, 18) [平岡アンディ]. At the moment it’s unclear if this bout will serve as a world title eliminator with the WBA or will be for Barroso’s title, as the JBC do not typically recognise the WBA “interim” titles, and may not recognise the title here either, despite Barroso winning the belt when he stopped Ohara Davies in January.
in a brilliant looking regional title bout Jin Sasaki (17-1-1, 16) [佐々木尽] will be defending his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight titles against Australian challenger Qamil Balla (15-1-1, 8), in what might end up being the bout of the night. Sasaki is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet to watch, and despite being something of an enigma at times, there is no doubting his explosive power, and his flawed, though improving defensive skills. He can be hit, and can look lazy at times, but when he lets his shots go they are destructive. As for Balla he’s this is a step up for him, though at 34 it is now or never for him and he will be looking to score a 5th straight win, following a 2018 loss to George Kambosos.
In the only domestic bout we’ll see the fantastic Toshiki Shimomachi (18-1-3, 12) [下町俊貴] make his third defense of the Japanese Super Bantamweight title, as he takes on 23 year old puncher Ryuya Tsugawa (13-1, 9) [津川龍也], who has stopped his last 6 in a row.
The show is now confirmed to be taking place on September 3rd, not 23rd as rumoured, which is a Tuesday and will take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, which appears to have made the most complete offer to Ohashi to host the event.
Notably the event will not be on Amazon Prime in Japan, but instead Lemino, as Ohashi continues to put on shows with both Amazon Prime and Lemino.
As had been known the Monster will be facing former IBF champion TJ Doheny (26-4, 19), and Irish born Australian fighter who has had a great run in recent times in Japan, scoring 3 career reviving wins on Ohashi promoted shows, including 2 notable upsets. The “Power” had been brought in as an insurance policy earlier in the year, when he was selected to be the reserve opponent for Luis Nery, in case Pantera missed the Super Bantamweight limit, and it appears Ohashi and Inoue have returned the favour, and rewarded Doehny’s recent wins, with this huge opportunity.
Despite his recent form it’s fair to say that Doheny will be the major under-dog, and few will defend the choice of opponent, but the bout was pushed into negotiations following Sam Goodman’s decision to not take a September date with Inoue.
The chief support bout will be the already known about contest between WBO Bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8) [武居由樹] and former WBC Flyweight champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19) [比嘉 大吾], in what is a mandatory defense for Takei, and also his first defense since beating Jason Moloney in May. Given the power and styles of the two men here, we’re expecting something of a shoot out, though that would favour the naturally bigger Takei, who looks to be a natural Bantamweight, whilst Higa is someone who likely should be making 115lbs, given his stature.
A third bout at world level, albeit at the fringes of world level, will see 41 year old Venezuelan veteran Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23), the current WBA "interim" champion at 140lbs, facing unbeaten 27 year old Japanese hopeful Andy Hiraoka (23-0, 18) [平岡アンディ]. At the moment it’s unclear if this bout will serve as a world title eliminator with the WBA or will be for Barroso’s title, as the JBC do not typically recognise the WBA “interim” titles, and may not recognise the title here either, despite Barroso winning the belt when he stopped Ohara Davies in January.
in a brilliant looking regional title bout Jin Sasaki (17-1-1, 16) [佐々木尽] will be defending his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight titles against Australian challenger Qamil Balla (15-1-1, 8), in what might end up being the bout of the night. Sasaki is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet to watch, and despite being something of an enigma at times, there is no doubting his explosive power, and his flawed, though improving defensive skills. He can be hit, and can look lazy at times, but when he lets his shots go they are destructive. As for Balla he’s this is a step up for him, though at 34 it is now or never for him and he will be looking to score a 5th straight win, following a 2018 loss to George Kambosos.
In the only domestic bout we’ll see the fantastic Toshiki Shimomachi (18-1-3, 12) [下町俊貴] make his third defense of the Japanese Super Bantamweight title, as he takes on 23 year old puncher Ryuya Tsugawa (13-1, 9) [津川龍也], who has stopped his last 6 in a row.
The show is now confirmed to be taking place on September 3rd, not 23rd as rumoured, which is a Tuesday and will take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, which appears to have made the most complete offer to Ohashi to host the event.
Notably the event will not be on Amazon Prime in Japan, but instead Lemino, as Ohashi continues to put on shows with both Amazon Prime and Lemino.