TJ Doheny took another step closer to a World title shot this week without having to throw a punch.

‘The Power’ has been on the up Down Under for a number of years now. The Laois native claimed Continental honours as early as his sixth fight and has been World title eligible since.

The former Senior finalist felt he needed to collect some experience to coincide with the ranking points he gathered early on. Indeed he turned down a late notice bout with WBA regular champ Scott Quigg last year, but now feels ready to make his name in an exciting division.

He would have gained further confidence by defeating Denkaosan Kaovichit, a two-weight World champion, by stoppage last time out and got further good news this week.

Doheny is now ranked number 6 in the WBA super bantamweight rankings and is fast closing in on a shot at WBA Interim champion Moises Flores.

Quigg is a title holder in the division, but faces Irish superstar Carl Frampton on February 27, while in a complex governing body, Cuban legend Guillermo Rigondeaux is ‘Champion in recess’.

Also above Doheny on the list are Tyson Cave, a fighter Willie Casey stopped in Canada, and Jonathan Romero, who was stopped by former Bernard Dunne and Frampton foe, Kiko Martinez.

@WBABoxing Rankings just out! I’m now up to no.6 and very rapidly closing in on that World Title.. #movinonup 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/2RWfhP1AW1

— TJ Doheny (@TjDoheny) November 11, 2015