TJ Doheny – I turned down a World title fight with Quigg but will be looking for big names in 2015
TJ Doheny fights for just the eighth time when he enters the ring in New South Wales tomorrow, but hopes to be mentioned along side the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, Scott Quigg, Guillermo Rigondeaux and even fellow Irish super bantamweight Carl Frampton come the New Year.
The 27-year-old might not have accumulated the experience of the much talked about aforementioned quartet, but he has secured a World top 15 ranking with the WBA and is eligible to fight for the World title currently held the Garty Hyde sensation that is Rigondeaux.
Indeed, the Portlaoise puncher has already turned down a fight with Bury’s Scott Quigg and suggests if such a name came calling previously he can go looking very soon.
Speaking ahead of his third PABA Continental title defence ‘The Power’ told Irish-Boxing.com that “it’s nice to be sitting in that list if names in what is a stacked division at the moment.”
“To be honest I don’t think I’m far off World level and I’m hoping to be knocking on some doors in the New Year.”
“I was only in the rankings a few weeks when we got a call about a Quigg fight, but with less than three weeks notice you would want to be a mad man to take the fight. It’s crazy to take any fight at short notice never mind a World title fight.”
“If I got enough notice and a proper campaign behind me I’d take the fight in a heartbeat,” added the midlander.
Before he can even consider Quigg and the likesm, Doheny has to first overcome Roman Canto in Ottimo House, Denham Court on Friday. However the talented Oz-based puncher, who boasts a good amateur background, is confident of emerging victorious before admitting he goes into the fight blind.
“I don’t know much about Canto but my prep has gone very well and I don’t see any reason why I won’t be making another successful defense after all the work I’ve put in.”
Doheny also took time to congratulate new IBF World Champion Carl Frampton, a fighter he holds an amateur victory over.
The popular Tony Del Vecchio-trained boxer added that “I would like to congratulate Carl Frampton on winning his well deserved World Title. It’s great to see one of the lads who I came up through the amateurs with doing so well.”
“He is an inspiration to every boxer from Ireland.”
