Goodman promising to create Australian boxing history

Sam Goodman is dismissing the doubters like he’s swatted away his every challenger as he vows to defy the odds and become Australia’s first-ever undisputed world boxing champion.

Goodman will enter the ring in Tokyo as a massive $15 outsider against Japan’s pound-for-pound superstar Naoya “The Monster” Inoue on December 24.

Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) is a boxing phenom known for his devastating knockout power, having dominated four weight classes to become one of the most feared and exciting champions of all time.

He is also one of boxing’s highest-paid stars, selling out arenas around the world and recently inking a $20 million ambassador deal.

Goodman, though, is adamant he can produce a famous upset victory to equal the likes of George Kambosos Jr’s stunning 2021 triumph over Teofimo Lopez at New York’s Madison Square Gardens in 2021 and the legendary Kostya Tszyu’s historic take down of Zab Judah in Las Vegas 23 years ago.

If he does, the 26-year-old super-bantamweight will become the first Australian undisputed champion in the 20-year four-belt era and achieve something not even legends like former unified champ Tszyu and four-division conqueror Jeff Fenech could.

“It’s something I set out to do since I’m into this sport as a young kid,” Goodman said on Wednesday.

“So, look, I’m not just coming here to turn up or show up and say I’ve competed for world titles.

“I got into this sport to be undisputed world champion and I ain’t stopping until I do it.”

Unbeaten in 19 professional fights, the Wollongong whiz couldn’t care less about Inoue’s odds-on favouritism with the bookmakers.

“I don’t see myself as an underdog. I see myself as the new world champion,” he added.

“I’m here for a reason. I haven’t just been given a shot and I’m not a ranked fighter or I haven’t won any fights – I’ve beaten everyone who’s been in front of me and I’m ranked No.1 in two of the four (world boxing) organisations.

“So to everyone who’s writing me off, I get to stick it up them at the end of it.”

While most are putting their feet up, Goodman is promising no let-up until after his Christmas eve blockbuster.

“There is no time to take a moment at the minute,” he said.

“I’m not even thinking about Christmas at the moment. I’m just worrying about this fight.

“The timing is all irrelevant to me. It will be nice on Christmas day when I’ve got those four belts wrapped around my waist.

“That’s when I can start to enjoy things and getting excited about things and I get to be Santa Claus this year.”

Darren Walton
(Australian Associated Press)