Undefeated Australian boxer Sam Goodman could conceivably be throwing down against Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue within the year after signing off on a blockbuster IBF world title eliminator.
Undefeated in all 14 professional appearances, Fox Sports Australia can confirm Goodman has agreed to terms with hyped American super bantamweight Ra’eese Aleem.
The title eliminator is likely set to be an eye-catching co-main for Tim Tszyu’s next Australian headliner, the final details of which are set to be confirmed in coming days.
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Should Goodman triumph against the undefeated Aleem, he will then become not only mandatory for Marlon Tapales – the tough Filipino who boasts both the IBF and WBA titles — but also enter conversations about potential opponents for Inoue.
Back in January, the undefeated Japanese superstar relinquished all four major bantamweight titles as part of a bold attempt to move up in weight and unify again.
In his first outing at super bantamweight this July, ‘Monster’ will challenge American Stephen Fulton for the champion’s WBC and WBO straps.
Should he get the win, as he is already being favoured to do by bookmakers, the division’s newest threat – and first Japanese fighter ever listed No.1 Pound For Pound by The Ring — will look to take on whoever holds the division’s other two belts.
Which is where the fighter with Australia’s most famous supporter crew – aka The Mad Bunch – enters the conversation.
While he admits the division currently has a host of “moving parts”, Goodman knows a win next up could see him squaring off against Tapales before Christmas and potentially looking at Inoue by early 2023.
Several fight websites currently have Monster atop their P4P lists, while The Ring has him behind only heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite the opportunities that lay ahead, Goodman stressed on Monday that he was focused only on Aleem, whom he labelled “a good fighter who does everything wel”.
Speaking shortly before a training session at his Central Coast gym, Complete Boxing, he also welcomed the arrival of Inoue to the division, saying: “I think it’s great.
“(His arrival) is fresh, makes the division more interesting and brings a whole lot of opportunity.
“There’s so many different things that can happen now. So many moving parts.
“Imagine, for example, travelling to Japan for a world title fight against him.
“Or even bringing Inoue to Australia – and beating him.
“That would be enormous; up there with the biggest wins in Australian sport’s history.
“And it’s great to know now that these things are possible.
“That I’m in these conversations.
“But I also know there’s a lot of work to be done first.
“While I know everyone wants to talk about world titles, I’m not there yet.
“I’ve got work to do.
“Apart from knowing where I’m headed, I also know what needs to be done to get there.
“Right now, I’m knocking at the door.
“But when my opportunity comes, I’ll be ready to kick it in.”
While an Inoue blockbuster is now the dream of every super bantamweight, Goodman knows exactly the challenge presented by Aleem.
Aged 32, the Philadelphia native is also undefeated in all his 20 professional fights – which, over the past two years, has included Filipino Mike Plania, Mexican Eduardo Baez and countryman Vic Passilas.
“So he’s a good fighter who does everything well,” Goodman conceded.
“He can box off the back foot, and also likes to press the action. Can put on quite a pace.
“But I think he loses his shape quite a lot as well …”
So as for how the Aussie takes advantage?
“The pace of the fight,” he said.
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“My pressure going forward too, I’ll get him to panic.
“When I’m sneaking shots over and over, he’s going to feel like he has to do something.
“And I’ll be able to capitalise on that, make him miss.
“And when he misses, he doesn’t miss pretty.
“He misses big. Misses wild.
“And I think I can draw that out of him — then capitalise on those opportunities and keep building from there.
“The wilder he gets, the messier he gets … and the better that will be for me.”
Goodman also tipped he and his American rival to put on a “fan friendly” showdown.
“Because he’ll be coming to have a massive crack,” he said.
“I’ll be going at him from the word go, too.
“And I know what I do well.
“Which will be too much for him to be honest.
“I’m operating at a high level. I’m smarter than these guys.”
As part of his preparation, Goodman will now embark on several “hit and run” missions to Brisbane for sparring with the likes of Liam Wilson and Dana Coolwell.
Asked about fighting for a world title this year, Goodman continued: “There’s a lot of work to be done but if I win this next fight, there’s a massive chance I’ll be fighting for the world title this year.
“So smash this bloke, we get on to the world title.
“Obviously things will be dictated by the champion.
“But it wasn’t so long ago, during Covid, that I was struggling just to get a fight. But since signing with No Limit things have moved quickly.
“And I’m stoked with the position they’ve got me in.
“It’s all happened quick but I’ve also shown I’m ready for that level.
“Last fight, (against TJ Doheny) I took out a former world champion.
“Showed I’m ready for the next step up and those world title belts.”
