Sam Goodman is ready to confirm himself as Australia’s most active boxing star after agreeing to use undefeated Chinese prospect Zhong Liu — a fighter he was due to face before Covid exploded — as his springboard into a hyped US debut.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Goodman is gunning to fight three times in just six months after finally confirming his December 15 headliner against Liu, an undefeated southpaw whose current tear stretches 19 fights.
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And in an ironic twist, Goodman revealed he was actually headed to China to spar Liu around the time of the Covid pandemic.
“Our team had this big trip planned but then, as it got close, we started hearing stories about some virus over there,” Goodman explained at the Nikita Tszyu headliner in Newcastle on Wednesday night.
“Then the day after I sorted my visa Covid shut everything down so the trip never happened.
“It’s funny how things work out.”
Should the hyped Aussie super bantamweight keep his own undefeated streak alive against Liu however, he then wants onto a No Limit card being discussed for Las Vegas in March next year, a day before the NRL season also launches there.
Should that happen, it would be the third fight in six months for a fella who, apart from being the No.1 contender for both the WBO and IBF straps, is also currently turning around after beating American Miguel Flores.
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Elsewhere on the year’s final No Limit card, Australia’s number one super featherweight Liam Wilson will square off against Perth fighter Jackson England.
While Goodman is currently the top contender for two titles, he must first wait a little longer to see how the division plays out — with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue looking to unify another division against Marlon Tapales on December 26.
As a result, and because of his determination to stay busy, the Aussie wants to potentially fight twice more before getting what he expects to be a world title shot midway through 2024.
“So I’ve definitely put my hand up for that US card in March,” Goodman revealed.
“Providing everything is right and the opportunity for a world title shot hasn’t arrived before that.
“And to be honest, it does look like there are a couple of guys in front of me once those titles are unified.
“So my shot will likely come mid year.
“That means Las Vegas is a huge possibility but, at the moment, that’s at the back of my mind.
“Because I’ve got another tough opponent to get through first.
“This guy (Liu) is a strong southpaw and unbeaten in 19 fights for a reason.
“He’ll be a tough challenge and tricky to work out, especially early on.
“But as the fight progresses I think I’ll be able to confirm my dominance and impose myself on him.”
While the ranked Liu is a southpaw, Goodman’s resume is littered with wins over lefties, most recently TJ Doheny who he beat in March.
“So while I wouldn’t say it is quite 50/50,” Goodman laughed, “I’ve had a good run of them.
“I had Doheny this year, last year almost all my opponents were southpaws and the year before I beat a couple as well.
“So I’m definitely comfortable against them and think it opens up a whole new toolbox for me, allows me to show a few different skills.
“I’ve fought plenty in the amateurs and plenty in the pros.
“I’m not worried about them at all.”
