Naoya Inoue v TJ Doheny: Prediction, Tips & Odds

Boxing writer John MacDonald takes a closer look at Tuesday's undisputed bantamweight world championship showdown between pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue and Ireland's TJ Doheny and reveals where the betting value can be found.

Naoya Inoue v TJ Doheny Tips

Bet Builder
Naoya Inoue - By KO, TKO or Disqualification
Naoya Inoue - To Score 1+ Knockdowns
Over 4.5 Rounds
Odds - 6/5

One of the greatest upsets in boxing’s long history took place in Tokyo when James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked Mike Tyson back in 1990 - the man many felt was unbeatable.

This Tuesday, TJ Doheny will be desperately hoping that lightning can strike twice as he takes on the undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in the same city.

But he knows he will have to deliver a career best, and then some, if he is to have the slightest chance of dethroning one of the most dominant fighters of all-time.

Inoue has faced some criticism for opting to face Doheny, rather than his WBA mandatory, Murodjon Akhmadaliev.

To many observers, the Irish fighter is a lesser opponent; a soft touch. Now that may be harsh, especially given he is a former world titlist at 122lbs, and pushed Daniel Roman all the way in a back-and-forth battle which was decided by a majority decision verdict.

But the reason Inoue has opted to face ‘The Power’ is purely down to the fact that he is a more commercially viable opponent.

Doheny has defeated two Japanese boxers in world title fights, and his last three fights, all victories, have taken place in the land of the rising sun.

The vastly experienced 37-year-old is a well-schooled counter-puncher with decent pop on his punches, but the biggest concern here is that, while he has never been stopped, he has been floored by lesser punchers.

These factors are reflected in the odds with Inoue a massive 1/50 favourite to extend his winning run, while Doheny is possibly under-priced at odds of 18/1.

The Japanese sensation is commonly regarded as one of the top two or three pound-for-pound fighters on the planet - for many, he's at the summit of that list.

At bantamweight, the four-weight world champion has routinely dispatched of foes inside the opening three rounds, but in the weight-class above, at 122lbs, Inoue has taken a little bit more time to find that breakthrough.

For me, that will prove to be the case once more, which is why I have pieced together my three-leg Bet Builder, which pays at 6/5.

Naoya Inoue v TJ Doheny Odds

Odds will display when markets are available.