INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- When two fighters face off to unify titles it always adds another level of intrigue. It isn't a champion putting his title on the line against a hungry challenger, instead it's two champions eager to prove who is the better fighter. On April 26, streaming live on DAZN, fans will be treated to a junior featherweight unification fight between WBA champion Daniel Roman and IBF champion TJ Doheny.
Roman (26-2-1, 10 KOs) is one of those fighters who seems to do everything well, but nothing spectacularly. He likes to jab his way in and flashes a nice left hook to the body when the opportunity presents itself. Along with those weapons, Roman also has a good right hand and he does a nice job of getting inside, landing a few good shots, and stepping back out of danger. Again, nothing about Roman's skills really jump out at you but he does everything well and always seems to be in the right position.
In the first 11 fights of Roman's career he went 8-2-1, which isn't a bad record but certainly doesn't look like the makings of a future world champion. The second of his two career losses came back in 2013 and since that loss all Roman has done is win. The 28-year-old California native is currently riding an 18-fight win streak, including a career best win over the previously undefeated Moises Flores and against Doheny he will be looking to make the fourth defense of his WBA title. In order to successfully defend that title Roman will have to do something no other fighter has done, hand Doheny the first loss of his career.
Doheny (21-0, 15 KOs) is a southpaw who will have the power punching advantage over Roman. The 32-year-old, who was born in Ireland but fights out of Australia, has a nice short right hook and a dangerous left hand he will throw upstairs and to the body where it can do serious damage. He has a decent jab but doesn't use it as often as he probably should. Doheny is at his best when he is fighting on the inside and letting his hands go but at times he can become too aggressive and leave himself open for return fire. If Doheny is able to control the distance of this fight and punish the body of Roman, he could be in for a great night.
It took Doheny four years into his professional career to leave the comforts of Australia. He made his U.S. debut my scoring a fifth round stoppage and followed that win up with another stoppage win in the U.S., this time in the second round. While Doheny has a perfect career record he also hasn't faced a ton of top quality opposition. Doheny has held his IBF strap since 2018 when he beat Ryosuke Iwasa and will be defending it for the second time after successfully doing so in early 2019 against Ryohei Takahashi.
This fight will be all about which fighter can control the distance. Doheny is at his best when he can get inside, make things rough, and land his power shots. Roman also finds success inside but he's at his best from the middle distance where he can work his jab and right hand. On the inside Roman will look to land left hooks to the body but he needs to be careful not to stand and trade with the heavier handed Doheny. If Roman can keep Doheny at the end of his punches he will find plenty of success but if this is an inside fight it will favor Doheny.
PREDICTION: TJ Doheny will have the power advantage in this fight and he will find enough success to win rounds and make this a very close fight. He won't do enough to win it though. Daniel Roman will do a better job of controlling the distance and because of that he will come away with the split decision victory.
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| Roman catching his opponent with a hard right hand |
In the first 11 fights of Roman's career he went 8-2-1, which isn't a bad record but certainly doesn't look like the makings of a future world champion. The second of his two career losses came back in 2013 and since that loss all Roman has done is win. The 28-year-old California native is currently riding an 18-fight win streak, including a career best win over the previously undefeated Moises Flores and against Doheny he will be looking to make the fourth defense of his WBA title. In order to successfully defend that title Roman will have to do something no other fighter has done, hand Doheny the first loss of his career.
Doheny (21-0, 15 KOs) is a southpaw who will have the power punching advantage over Roman. The 32-year-old, who was born in Ireland but fights out of Australia, has a nice short right hook and a dangerous left hand he will throw upstairs and to the body where it can do serious damage. He has a decent jab but doesn't use it as often as he probably should. Doheny is at his best when he is fighting on the inside and letting his hands go but at times he can become too aggressive and leave himself open for return fire. If Doheny is able to control the distance of this fight and punish the body of Roman, he could be in for a great night.
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| Doheny celebrating a win with his IBF title belt |
This fight will be all about which fighter can control the distance. Doheny is at his best when he can get inside, make things rough, and land his power shots. Roman also finds success inside but he's at his best from the middle distance where he can work his jab and right hand. On the inside Roman will look to land left hooks to the body but he needs to be careful not to stand and trade with the heavier handed Doheny. If Roman can keep Doheny at the end of his punches he will find plenty of success but if this is an inside fight it will favor Doheny.
PREDICTION: TJ Doheny will have the power advantage in this fight and he will find enough success to win rounds and make this a very close fight. He won't do enough to win it though. Daniel Roman will do a better job of controlling the distance and because of that he will come away with the split decision victory.
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