Undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym started sparring sessions with two new Mexican partners at the gym on July 29 in preparation for his next title defense against the World Boxing Organization’s second-ranked super bantamweight TJ Doheny of Ireland on Sept. 3 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

  Inoue went a total of eight rounds of sparring with Noli Valenzuela and Jose Angel Garcia, both undefeated featherweights. It was the third time for Garcia to visit Japan. The 31-year-old Inoue had been sparring with other two Mexican partners until this week.

  Inoue made a comment through the gym in the form of the question-and-answer session as follows:

  Q: what about the sparring today?

  A: I was able to move throughout the eight rounds against the two partner (each for four rounds). I think I got a good response, including my stamina.

  Q: Didn’t you feel any fatigue due to the possible after-effects of the intensive training camp at the gym two weeks ago?

  A: I already got rid of my fatigue and was able to do sparring with the new Mexican partners.

  Q: It was the first time for you to spar with Valenzuela. Any comment?

  A: Since I have sparred with many boxers, I make it a rule to adjust myself to each boxer. It is not easy to think only about Doheny. I can become much more versatile if I spar with different kind of partners. True Doheny has a one-punch knockout power and may not be timed nicely. But if I can cope with each and different sparring partner, I think I can cope with any situation in the fight.

  Q: Doing eight rounds of sparring at a time appears to be a little too long. Do you often do that?

  A: I sparred with eight rounds last Thursday. I will concentrate on sparring this week and the next. After the middle of August, I will make a minor adjustment. I mean I will reduce the number of my sparring sessions and will go on with fine-tuning.

  Q: Have you already seen Doheny’s fight video?

  A: I saw the two of his three fights he did in Japan except his fight at Tokyo Dome. I saw his fight with Japhethlee Llamido (of the United States last October) and Kazuki Nakajima (of Ohashi gym in June last year). Since Llamido and Nakajima are left-handed, I don’t think I can imagine my fight with Doheny. I also saw his fight with Sam Goodman of Australia (in March 2023, in which Doheny dropped a 10-round decision). But I think I understand the kind of Doheny’s style of boxing, it will all depend on how to fight with him in the actual ring.

  Q: What about your present mind and body?

  A: I think I have been able to maintain my motivation ever since my last fight at Tokyo Dome (in which Inoue stopped Luis Nery of Mexico in the sixth round to retain his titles).

PHOTO By Ohashi Boxing Gym