Naoya Inoue knows why he has to remain vigilant against TJ Doheny, believes he isn't "finished product yet"

Naoya Inoue recently discussed his upcoming undisputed super bantamweight title fight against TJ Doheny and explained why he's planning not to underestimate his opponent. The Japanese boxing superstar revealed that while this was his hardest training camp, he didn't consider himself the final product yet.

Inoue will face Doheny at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo today, where he will defend all four of his super bantamweight titles. Doheny is widely known for being a former IBF super bantamweight champion himself, and the Irishman has an impressive professional record of 26-4, with 20 of those wins coming via knockout.

Given that the 37-year-old pugilist tends to look for knockouts, it's no surprise that Inoue wants to keep his guard up. During a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 31-year-old Japanese boxer said:

"I know in my mind what I need to do. Doheny is a fighter who doesn't want to win by decision. That's why I have to be careful. I am conscious that I have to be alert and be on guard. I have pushed myself so hard. I am proud to say I practiced the hardest of my career for this."

He continued:

"I don't think I am the finished product yet. I still have some way to go. I know I can still evolve into a better fighter. I hope the fans can look forward to that as well." [H/t: Sky Sports]

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Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn calls Naoya Inoue vs. TJ Doheny a "horrific mismatch"

While many are eagerly looking forward to seeing Naoya Inoue face TJ Doheny in the squared circle, Eddie Hearn isn't convinced by the matchup. The Englishman recently slammed the fight and accused the Japanese boxing star of ducking his WBA mandatory challenger, Murodjon Akhmadaliev.

During an interview with BoxNation, the Matchroom Boxing frontman shared his thoughts on the Inoue-Doheny matchup and claimed he was "disappointed" to see the fight get booked. He said:

"Gutted, devastated, disappointing for boxing. Disappointing for Japan. If I hadn't worked with TJ Doheny five or six years ago I would really go in on this fight. But I don't want to disrespect TJ because he's a nice guy."

Hearn continued:

"It's a horrific mismatch. I don't understand why, for some reason, Team Inoue and Mr. Honda and everyone, I know for a fact, they don't like the Akhmadaliev fight... I wouldn't expect him to pick Akhmadaliev in a voluntary... It's hard to say Inoue is ducking Akhmadaliev, but he actually is."

Catch Eddie Hearn's comments below (10:35):