TJ Doheny intends to bounce back from last summer’s loss to Michael Conlan against vastly-experienced Mexican knockout artist Cesar Juarez in Dubai tomorrow night.
Portlaoise native Doheny shares the chief support slot at the Duty Free Tennis Arena with Tyrone McKenna’s clash against former world champion Regis Prograis and ‘The Power’ intends to force his way back into the world title mix with an impressive comeback win.
“He’s very durable, very tough Mexican with lots of heart,” said Doheny.
“He’s been in with Nonito Donaire, he took him the distance. He’s been in with Isaac Dogboe.
“Dogboe stopped him but he was in the fight the whole way, it doesn’t matter what you throw at him he’ll keep coming on so the big focus of this camp was to be in top condition for him because he comes through everything until the referee waves it off, he just doesn’t stop swinging.
“It’s an absolutely perfect comeback fight for me because you need someone tough and rugged who’s gonna bring it and make you fight and make you earn the win and that’s exactly what he does. “Anybody that’s beat him, they earned the win, every inch of it, so I know I’m in against a tough guy and I’ll have to work hard for the win but I’ve no doubt about it, I’ve got the skills and the ability all day long to beat him.”
Two-time world title challenger Quarez will pile the pressure on so the challenge for Doheny is to remain composed, pick his shots and hope to break the Mexican down.
“Hopefully I’ll get the stoppage or a nice wide points decision,” he said.
It’ll be three years next month since Doheny lost his IBF super-bantamweight title in a unification clash against Daniel Roman in the USA. He has been beaten twice since – by Conlan and Ionut Baluta – but intends to use tomorrow night as a launching pad back to world title success.
“I call it this comeback because it’s a fight coming back from a loss,” said Doheny who has been based in Perth, Australia for his pre-fight training camp.
“I feel like I’m at the top level so I want to come back, get the win and then hopefully we can build on this and I can get a couple more wins this year and get back into world title contention again by the end of the year or early next year.”
Meanwhile, Regis Prograis has accepted Tyrone McKenna’s declaration of desert war. Prograis will give up considerable height and reach advantages when he clashes with Belfast’s ‘Mighty Celt’ who has promised to come out blazing in the Middle East.
“Bring it on,” Prograis says.
“If he’s sure he wants to bring war with me, we’ll see if he really wants that. I’m going to see what McKenna has. I’m more of a face-to-face guy. Social media’s cool, but I’m excited to see him in person this week, and then we’ll see what he really says to us.”
The WBC has confirmed that the clash is an eliminator for their version of the light-welterweight title and New Orleans native Prograis intends to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“After this, my goal is to become the world champion again,” said Prograis.
“That’s my main focus right now. It’s nothing personal against McKenna; he’s just in my way to getting another belt. That’s all. Whoever’s in my way I’m going to run them over.”
