Inoue vs Doheny LIVE: Latest fight updates and results as injury hands champion victory in Tokyo

Naoya Inoue had started patiently against TJ Doheny. At first, the undisputed super-bantamweight champion was content to parry jabs and press forward gently. But as Tuesday’s main event in Tokyo progressed, the “Monster” began to sharpen his claws. And just as Inoue was starting to slash at Doheny, the Irish veteran was perhaps saved by an injury – ill-timed for the fans in the Ariake Arena, superbly-timed for the fading challenger.

“F***!” yelled the 37-year-old Doheny, clutching his hip or lower back – it was difficult to ascertain the specific spot that was afflicted, given the size of those gloves. His stray shout landed somewhere in the quiet, respectful crowd. He proceeded to limp over to Inoue, apologising for the abrupt end to the fight, which denied the four-weight world champion a statement win.

Full fight report:

Doheny’s team help him limp out of the arena.

Inoue’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, suggests that the champion will return to the ring at the end of the year.

Arum also wants Inoue to box in the US next year – in Las Vegas.

Inoue suggests the end might have come due to “an accumulation of damage that I did to him”.

He adds: “Tonight, I really wanted to go through the fight one round at a time. I wanted to slow down, hand my opponent damage.

“This fight didn’t end in the way we expected, but if you’re going to have a career like this, [maybe this can be useful].

“I am still improving. I want to acknowledge how TJ Doheny brought the fight tonight, and I want to celebrate his career.”

Naoya Inoue def. TJ Doheny via seventh-round TKO (0:16).