Injury ends TJ Doheny's hopes against superstar Naoya Inoue

TJ Doheny put in a brave effort as he lost by seventh round stoppage due to injury against undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in Japan this afternoon.

The Portlaoise fighter was a huge underdog against his unbeaten opponent and had to battle to stay in the fight for the first six rounds.

He failed to trouble Inoue and was forced to use huge considerable energy to avoid powerful combinations.

Inoue had won 24 of his 27 fights by stoppage before this bout and is a four-weight world champion.

The opening rounds saw Inoue take his time and he initially struggled to inflict considerable damage on Doheny, while still comfortably winning them.

The 37-year-old Irishman visibly tired as the fight went on and began to take punishment, particularly late in the fifth.

The outcome was inevitable as that pattern continued in the sixth round.

The fight was stopped just 17 seconds into round seven with Doheny indicating he had suffered a back injury and was unable to continue.

It was an admirable performance by Doheny against one of the stars of the sport who many believe is on a path to becoming one of the greatest the sport has ever seen.

Doheny was helped from the ring after the fight due to the back problem and must now consider whether to continue after missing this chance to become a two-time world champion.