Naoya Inoue returns Sept.3 against underdog TJ Doheny

The monster was down for the first time in his career and looked hurt. A sweeping left from challenger Luis Nery had nailed him on the button.

He got up quickly. His eyes were clear, but he backed into the ropes and ate a few shots. He also fought back. The sellout crowd at the Tokyo Dome was stunned.

Could the amazing run of Naoya Inoue be coming to an end?

Hardly. Inoue got up and adjusted. That’s what the great ones do.

He had been careless – perhaps overconfident. He’s human – undefeated in 27 fights with 24 knockouts.

Nery entered the fight with one loss in 35 fights. The southpaw from Mexico can punch – as Inoue found out the hard way.

Inoue used his legs to stay out of danger. He floored Nery in round two and again in round five. Inoue ended matters in the next heat with two wicked right hands.

“How did you like the big surprise in the first round?” said Inoue after the fight. I was not happy I got knocked down. That happening gave me good motivation.”

Motivation is always important.

That word comes to mind as Inoue prepares to fight surprise challenger TJ Doheny on September 3 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

“Naoya Inoue is a generational talent, and every time he fights, the boxing world stops to watch the master at work,” said Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum. “TJ Doheny is a veteran who can never be counted out, as he’s defied the odds many times when fighting in Japan.”

True dat. Doheny, an underdog in three of his four fights on Japanese soil, banged out victories every time.

Doheny captured the IBF super bantamweight title in 2018, defeating Ryosuke Iwasa. He lost the title a year later against Danny Roman.

Sean Gibbons represents Doheny. He likes his man’s chances.

“TJ is a very deserving opponent,” said Gibbon to BoxingScene.com. “He has a very storied history in Japan and he peaked at the right time. I think he is going to surprise people. Inoue has never really been hit (Ummm…Nery would disagree) because he’s that good. TJ brings a lot to the table, and he has to try to mug him and rough him up because he’s not going to outbox him. He has nothing to lose. He’ll come in relaxed and comfortable.

“TJ is physically a very strong guy – I don’t think he will lose steam,” added Gibbons. “He’s going to get in, stay on top of Inoue to close the gap and bang the body to try and slow him down.”

Try is the operative word.

“I expect a good, spirited fight, but in my opinion, nobody around that weight can defeat The Monster,” said Bob Arum.

I concur.

Doheny, 37, deserves kudos for rebuilding his career after losing back-to-back bouts. He’s a durable and determined guy.

His chances of springing an upset depend on Inoue.

An off night could happen.

Or lack of motivation.

I don’t see it.

Inoue by stoppage before round seven.