This is not Roman’s Empire – Doheny confident he will prove he is world’s best 122lbs fighter
TJ Doheny [21(15)-1] is adamant he can still prove himself the best 122lbs fighter on the planet.
‘The Power’ admits it was much easier to make a best at the weight claim when he was one of the super bantamweight world title holders earlier this year.
He also knows reiterating his desire to be know as #1 after losing his IBF world title in a brilliantly entertaining unification bout with Danny Roman will raise eyebrows. Yet the Portlaoise BC graduate believes he has the ability and could get the opportunity to prove he is unrivaled at super bantam.
Speaking to Irish-boxing.com this week the southpaw, who became the first Irish or British fighter to secure world title victory in Japan since Wayne McCullough in the Summer, said there is work to be done – but it’s work he feels more than qualified for.
“I know this sounds a little dumb because I lost my unification in April but I still feel that with the right preparation I can solidify my name as the best 122 fighter out there,” Doheny explained before claiming he wants a Roman return.
“I just got to get back in contention and prove it. MTK Global will make sure of this and the future looks very bright for me.
“The main thing is to keep active, ideally it would be nice have 2 fights before the year is out then start pushing for a rematch with Danny Roman. I know he’s got a busy schedule but I want those belts which are rightfully mine.”
The Sydney-based, Boston-trained Irish fighter shouldn’t find it too hard to maneuver toward a Roman rematch, especially considering how exciting their first encouther was – and if it was to be made he suggests things would be different this time around.
According to Doheny, the lead-in to the pair’s April meeting didn’t go smoothly for him.
“I’m not gonna go into detail but a lot of things should have been done differently leading up to the most important fight of my career. It’s just a lot of it was out of my control.”
Things have been quiet on the Doheny front since that close reverse to American, Roman, who puts his two titles on the line against former amateur stand out Murodjon Akhmadaliev on September 13th.
However, the fighter who doesn’t court public attention has been back training in Boston since early July and expects to confirm a date soon.
He dismissed suggestions Matchroom and Eddie Hearn have forgotten about him – and confirmed he could be attempting to return to winning ways as soon as October.
“I’ve been back in camp here in Boston since early July,” he continued.
“Myself and Eddie are still working together and will be finalizing a date and deal soon, that could be as soon as October. Also, I have a couple of other lucrative options to flirt with if need be, I just cant speak about them as of now.”
Those querying as to whether or not the 32-year-old southpaw was getting enough Matchroom love wondered if the Golden Contract tournament would become a viable option for the Laois fighter. Some also suggest he could face Michael Conlan in New York come December 14th, but he dismissed both.
“The Golden Contact tournament is to help fighters project themselves onto a level, a level I have already surpassed. So that is of no interest to me but one thing for sure it is gonna be a cracking tournament with the pool of talent involved,” he confirmed before discussing Conlan.
“Myself and Michael are on very different paths at the moment and he has yet to get test the waters and see how he feels down at 122. I would not be the ideal opponent for that kind of test, especially as close as December. I’ve got the utmost respect for Michael and his family also, he is a consummate professional and will be the biggets Irish superstar when it’s all said and done.”
