Inoue stops TJ Doheny, retains undisputed title

Japan’s superstar Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) remained the undisputed world super-bantamweight champion. Inoue on Tuesday night in Tokyo stopped Irish challenger TJ Doheny (26-5) in seventh round.

Doheny retired because of an apparent back injury. Inoue dominated the fight and celebrated his 28^th successive victory. He retained IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA world titles.

“This fight didn’t end how we expected, but fighting a long career like this, this is a night we might have,” Inoue said through a translator. “I want to celebrate how TJ Doheny brought the fight into this ring.”

Inoue’s promoter, Bob Arum, said the champion will be defending his titles again in Tokyo at the end of the year and then will fight in the US. “We’re taking him to the United States for a big celebration in Las Vegas,” Arum said.

Inoue is a four-division world champion. He won world titles in light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight. Was undisputed in bantamweight and is in super-bantamweight.

In co-main event Yoshiki Takei (10-0) beat Diago Higa (21-3-1) via unanimous decision (115:112, 114:113 and 114:113) and defended WBO World bantamweight title.

Andy Hiraoka (24-0) stopped veteran Ismael Barroso (25-5-2) in ninth round. Jin Sasaki (18-1-1) recorded a stoppage victory in seventh round over Qamil Balla (15-2-1).