It was the year of dreams for Portlaoise boxer, TJ Doheny as he was crowned the IBF Junior Featherweight World Champion.
TJ received a warm welcome home in September where the streets of Portlaoise were crowded with fans.
TJ did his town, county and his country very proud.
Portlaoise boxer TJ ‘The Power’ Doheny has become the IBF Junior Featherweight Champion of the world.
The Portlaoise native was in Japan this morning where he took on Ryosuke Iwasa in the 2,000-capacity Korakuen Hall.
The fight went the full 12 Rounds where Doheny won on the judges decision on points.
A huge Irish crowd were in attendance in Japan with chants of ‘TJ, TJ, TJ’ flying up routinely and often drowning out the local supporters.
With the bout deep in the 11th Round, Ole, Ole. Ole rang around the venue.
Doheny battled bravely throughout and won with all three of the judges scoring the bout in his favour.
He won on a judges score of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-112.
Doheny looked in trouble early on as a shot from Iwasa drew blood pouring from a massive cut under his eye.
But he battled on and executed a number of perfectly timed shots to the head and torso of the Japanese man.
Doheny’s achievement is simply incredible. Before today, Wayne McCullough is the only fighter from either Ireland or the UK has ever won a world title on Japanese soil.
He defeated bantamweight champ Yasuei Yakushiji all the way back in 1995.
Doheny’s win means he has become the 21st Irish world champion and only the second ever Irishman after Jimmy McLarnin in 1933 to attain champion status without ever having fought on his native soil.
The 31-year-old’s road to here has been nothing short of incredible. His record read as follows: 19 fights, 19 wins, 14 knockouts; 15 fights in Australia, two in the United States, one in Thailand, none at home.
That now reads 20 fights and no defeats. Fair play TJ, the whole of Laois is proud of you.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Huge crowds gather to honour Portlaoise World Champion TJ Doheny
