Junior featherweight contender Sam “The Ghost” Goodman will threat a mandated shot at undisputed 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue when he takes on robust Thailander Chainoi “The Rockman” Worawut on the WIN Leisure Centre in Wollongong, NSW, Australia, subsequent Wednesday night time.
The combat is do-or-die for Goodman. A loss for the 25-year-old Australian from Albion Park will put him behind the queue; a win will merely see him maintain his place.
So why take the combat?
“It was at all times on the playing cards, and it appeared like there was a chance for me to combat for the world title subsequent. That’s just about the rationale behind it,” stated Goodman (18-0, 8 KOs) to The Ring.
“As you’ve seen over the past 12 months, I like to remain lively. I practice year-round. And after the final combat as properly, I assumed it will be one other good take a look at to combat somebody who was world-class and get again in there with a world-level opponent earlier than I tackle the likes of Inoue.”
Goodman has at all times saved a busy schedule. Aside from the primary 12 months of COVID-19 in 2020, he has boxed no less than thrice a 12 months all through his profession. Final 12 months, he picked up the gloves 4 occasions, defeating Ring-ranked contenders Ra’eese Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs) and TJ Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs), in addition to claiming the scalps of Miguel Flores (25-5-1, 12 KOs) and Zhong Liu (19-1, 7 KOs). All of these wins have been on factors.
Exercise issues on this sport.
“It’s not about abilities deteriorating or something, it’s nearly constructing and constructing on what I’ve already achieved and having a tough hit-out earlier than I attain the most important combat of my life. That’s actually what that is about,” stated The Ring’s No. 4-ranked junior featherweight contender, who’s coming off a fourth-round knockout of Mark Schleibs in March.
“It’s one other good, robust take a look at; getting by means of it and passing with flying colours earlier than shifting on to the most important combat of my life.”
Goodman lands an uppercut on Mark Schleib in his most up-to-date combat. (Photograph courtesy of No Restrict Boxing)
Bangkok’s Worawut, aka Thachtana Luangphon (25-0-1, 15 KOs), is not going to be making the journey out to Australia merely for a free vacation and a packet of cream biscuits. The battle-hardened ex-Muay Thai fighter has an enormous proper hand and a jarring quick left hook, weapons that the 27-year-old will probably be trying to land towards Goodman in what will probably be his first boxing bout outdoors of his homeland.
“He doesn’t have a nasty eye and he’s fairly composed in there as properly,” Goodman stated of his opponent. “He’s fairly calm, however I don’t assume he’s confronted an excessive amount of adversity in his profession. I believe I’ve received greater than sufficient abilities to frustrate anybody within the division. Not simply to frustrate them, however to actually make them second guess what they’re doing within the ring. I believe there are numerous issues that I can capitalize on.
“My power, I believe, will probably be with the ability to management the tempo of the combat and the place it takes place as properly.”
In a current interview with Wasim Mather on this web site, Worawut spoke of Goodman’s skills as a boxer.
“Sam Goodman is an effective fighter with quick footwork. He at all times waits to counterattack and has a terrific lead hand,” he stated.
“It’s identical to one other combat. For greater than two months, I skilled at 100%. My objective is to combat Inoue; it’s my dream, however I must win the combat towards Goodman first.”
There may be numerous stress on each boxers going into this combat with the most important prize within the lighter weight courses awaiting the winner.
“Beating me will change the course of Worawut’s profession,” stated Goodman. “I’m conscious of that. Like I stated earlier than, I simply give attention to myself and what I must do.
“I’m not too involved about no matter he’s pondering or no matter type of pressures he’s placing on himself. I simply give attention to getting the job achieved and getting it achieved properly. That’s the place my head’s at proper now.
“I’m not overthinking it. I’m simply having fun with combat week once more, combating a bloke in my hometown in what could possibly be my final combat right here for a little bit bit, however who is aware of? I’m simply having fun with the whole lot that comes with it. However I’m fairly centered on this one. I’m in the most effective form of my profession and I’ve achieved the whole lot proper, so I’m not taking any probabilities.”
Japanese famous person Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs), The Ring Journal No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, is the pot of gold on the finish of the rainbow.
The 31-year-old from Yokohama is predicted to go round once more in September, with the resurgent southpaw Doheny thought-about a possible opponent. The 37-year-old Australian-based Irishman has efficiently constructed a profile for himself in Japan with three straight early knockout wins towards strong opposition previously 12 months.
Talking to Fox Sports activities Australia in late Might, Inoue’s American co-promoter, Bob Arum, expanded on the plan for the 122-pound world champion.
“The plan is for Inoue to combat once more in Japan this September. After which relying on how the whole lot breaks down from there, he would combat once more on the finish of the 12 months, perhaps in Riyadh,” the High Rank head honcho stated.
“And each Sam Goodman and the Irish child (Doheny) are nice opponents. I had the chance to have a short dialog with Sam this week in Tokyo and was very impressed with him and his demeanor. So whether or not he fights Inoue in September or December, I don’t know.
“However he actually will probably be combating Inoue this 12 months.”
Goodman is aware of what he’s risking by going through Worawut, however he believes he will probably be higher for the hit-out when the Inoue bout comes round in 5 months’ time.
“That’s the plan. Our plan has at all times been to get the December combat towards him. That’s what we’re aiming in direction of. Every part I’ve achieved this 12 months is a step in direction of that final objective,” Goodman stated.
“It’s at the back of my thoughts and it pushes me day by day. It’s shut, however there’s nonetheless loads of work to do. And it begins on July tenth as properly. I’ve received one other man I’ve received to get by means of, and as soon as I do get by means of him, it’s full give attention to that December date.”
Australian-based boxing journalist Anthony Cocks has been protecting the game for over 20 years for varied print and on-line publications.
