[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Naoya Inoue Returns to the Ring with Laser-Sharp Focus

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Neither Naoya Inoue nor TJ Doheny has ever been knocked out in their professional boxing careers.

They have had a combined 53 fights, and their fistic showdown on Tuesday, September 3 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo appears destined to be a fight decided by big punches.

Let's take a quick look at the numbers. Inoue is 27-0 with 24 victories by stoppage. Doheny is 26-4 with 20 KOs.

What's more, neither man has fought a 12-round fight for years. It's a testament to Inoue's punching power and Doheny's formidable skills.

Inoue's last 12-rounder was on November 7, 2019, when he won a unanimous decision over Nonito Donaire to claim the Filipino's IBF bantamweight title at Saitama Super Arena.

Doheny, 37, last fought a 12-round bout on August 6, 2021, and he lost by unanimous decision to Michael Conlan in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Inoue is eyeing a knockout against Doheny. It's not a secret. The undisputed super bantamweight champion clearly spelled out his intentions in the run-up to the fight.

"To win this fight I have to concentrate and knock him out," the 31-year-old Inoue said, according to a published report on British broadcaster Sky Sports' website. "That's the only thing I keep in mind as I head into this fight. [And] that's what I'm visualizing now."

It should surprise no one that this is Inoue's intent. After all, Inoue has been one of the world's best boxers for years. Inoue has a lethal combination of speed and power in his punches and he blazed through the ranks, winning world titles at light flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight (the undisputed world champ) and super bantamweight (becoming undisputed champ again).

Naoya Inoue is Focused on 'What I Need to Do'

In Inoue's most recent fight, he overpowered Mexico's Luis Nery, winning via a sixth-round technical knockout at Tokyo Dome on May 6. Inoue was, however, knocked down for the first time in his pro career, which began in October 2012, in the first round. He survived and came back with a vengeance to retain his WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF titles.

For Inoue, after beating Nery, he's had a total commitment to training, preparing to face Doheny. 

"I know in my mind what I need to do," Inoue said, according to Sky Sports. "Doheny is a fighter who doesn't want to win by decision. That's why I have to be careful."

Shingo Inoue, the superstar boxer's father and longtime trainer, said Naoya is well-prepared to do what it takes to extend his title reign.

"He will not let his guard down at all," Shingo Inoue was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "As long as Naoya keeps his concentration, I don't think there will be any problem. We just have to be cool and calm and bring that to the fight. If we can do that, there will be no problems."

A Boxer with Lofty Standards

Naoya Inoue is approaching this fight with a determination to perform at his best.

"I take pride in defending my four championship belts, and I want to fight a bout that is up to my personal standards," he told a news conference on Saturday in Yokohama, Kyodo News reported.

An unblemished record and championship belts are on the line for "Monster" Inoue at Ariake Arena. But something else is also on his mind, an internal reminder of what he aims to achieve in the ring.

"I don't think I am the finished product yet, I still have some way to go," were words he used to explain his current mindset, according to Sky Sports.

Added Inoue, "I know I can still evolve into a better fighter. I hope the fans can look forward to that as well." 

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

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• TJ Doheny Seeking to Conquer Super Bantamweight King Naoya Inoue
• Naoya Inoue Seeking a KO Victory Against TJ Doheny

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.