TJ Doheny secures world title eliminator in Russia with former champ
Portlaoise super bantamweight TJ Doheny [17(13)-0] has today had a huge fight confirmed as he looks to take the final step toward a world title challenge.
It has been confirmed that Doheny will face Russian former world champion Evgeny Gradovich [23(9)-2(1)-1] in an IBF world title eliminator in Russia this December.
The fight will take place at the DIVS in Yekateringburg in Central Russia on Friday December 15th, with the winner looking likely to challenge IBF champion Ryosuke Iwasa [24(16)-2(2)] next year.
Doheny, as had been predicted, moved up to number three in the IBF in the newest rankings with the organisation – while Gradovich has climbed from #8 to #6.
Iwasa, who dethroned Yukinuri Oguni last month, will have to defend the belt against the mandatory challenger by next Summer – however at present there is no mandatory.
This is good news for 30 year old Doheny though, as a win in December would likely solidify his number three ranking and ensure that he is the highest positioned fighter – basically the de-facto mandatory – when the time comes for Iwasa to defend.
What could happen though is that Gradovich is elevated to, #4 or #5 ahead of the fight, thus making it an official final eliminator – and with #4 Tomoki Kameda turning down a fight offer and #5 Diego De La Hoya already having a fight scheduled, this looks set to happen.
31 year old Gradovich won the IBF featherweight title on short notice in March 2013 against Billy Dib, successfully defending it four times before being beaten by current champ Lee Selby. He was later beaten by WBO 126lbs champion Oscar Valdez and has since moved down in weight.
Gradovich will be, by far,the toughest opponent of Doheny’s pro career – which began in Australia before moving to Boston,
It’s been a long wait for Murphys Boxing man Doheny, whose sole fight this year was a ticking-over first round knockout in June, but he finally now has his opportunity to move into world title contention..