Junior featherweight contender Sam “The Ghost” Goodman will danger 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 evening.
The battle 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 battle?
“It was at all times on the playing cards, and it regarded like there was a possibility for me to battle 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 during the last 12 months, I like to remain energetic. I prepare year-round. And after the final battle as nicely, I assumed it will be one other good take a look at to battle 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 stored a busy schedule. Aside from the primary yr of COVID-19 in 2020, he has boxed at the very least thrice a yr all through his profession. Final yr, he picked up the gloves 4 instances, 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 had 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 completed and having a tough hit-out earlier than I attain the most important battle 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 way of it and passing with flying colours earlier than shifting on to the most important battle of my life.”
Goodman lands an uppercut on Mark Schleib in his most up-to-date battle. (Picture courtesy of No Restrict Boxing)
Bangkok’s Worawut, aka Thachtana Luangphon (25-0-1, 15 KOs), won’t 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 shall be seeking to land towards Goodman in what shall be his first boxing bout outdoors of his homeland.
“He doesn’t have a foul eye and he’s fairly composed in there as nicely,” 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 feel I’ve acquired greater than sufficient abilities to frustrate anybody within the division. Not simply to frustrate them, however to essentially make them second guess what they’re doing within the ring. I feel there are a number of issues that I can capitalize on.
“My energy, I feel, shall be having the ability to management the tempo of the battle and the place it takes place as nicely.”
In a latest interview with Wasim Mather on this web site, Worawut spoke of Goodman’s skills as a boxer.
“Sam Goodman is an efficient fighter with quick footwork. He at all times waits to counterattack and has an awesome lead hand,” he stated.
“It’s identical to one other battle. For greater than two months, I educated at 100%. My aim is to battle Inoue; it’s my dream, however I have to win the battle towards Goodman first.”
There’s a number of strain on each boxers going into this battle with the most important prize within the lighter weight lessons 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 have to do.
“I’m not too involved about no matter he’s considering or no matter type of pressures he’s placing on himself. I simply give attention to getting the job completed and getting it completed nicely. That’s the place my head’s at proper now.
“I’m not overthinking it. I’m simply having fun with battle week once more, combating a bloke in my hometown in what might be my final battle 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 very best form of my profession and I’ve completed the whole lot proper, so I’m not taking any possibilities.”
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 anticipated to go round once more in September, with the resurgent southpaw Doheny thought of 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 prior to now yr.
Talking to Fox Sports activities Australia in late Could, Inoue’s American co-promoter, Bob Arum, expanded on the plan for the 122-pound world champion.
“The plan is for Inoue to battle once more in Japan this September. After which relying on how the whole lot breaks down from there, he would battle once more on the finish of the yr, possibly in Riyadh,” the Prime 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 shall be combating Inoue this yr.”
Goodman is aware of what he’s risking by dealing with Worawut, however he believes he shall 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 battle towards him. That’s what we’re aiming in direction of. Every little thing I’ve completed this yr is a step in direction of that final aim,” Goodman stated.
“It’s behind my thoughts and it pushes me every single day. It’s shut, however there’s nonetheless loads of work to do. And it begins on July tenth as nicely. I’ve acquired one other man I’ve acquired to get by way of, and as soon as I do get by way of him, it’s full give attention to that December date.”
Australian-based boxing journalist Anthony Cocks has been overlaying the game for over 20 years for varied print and on-line publications.
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