Goodman cracks Flores. (Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Photographs)
Australian junior featherweight contender Sam ‘The Ghost’ Goodman can have yet another hit-out earlier than difficult undisputed 122-pound world champion Naoya Inoue later this yr.
The undefeated 25-year-old from Albion Park in New South Wales will face fellow unbeaten Chainoi Worawut of Thailand on the WIN Leisure Centre in Wollongong on July 10.
The struggle isn’t with out its dangers. Goodman (18-0, 8 knockouts), who’s ranked the primary contender to Inoue’s crown by each the IBF and WBO, will see 1,000,000 greenback payday with the Japanese phenom evaporate in entrance of his eyes if he loses to the 26-year-old Worawut.
“I’m a playing man. I’ve bought to roll the cube. I’m going all in once more,” The Ring’s quantity 4 ranked junior featherweight contender stated on the official press convention on Wednesday to announce the bout.
Goodman was ringside for Inoue’s six-round destruction of Mexican southpaw Luis Nery (35-2, 27 KOs) on the Tokyo Dome in Japan on Might 6. He managed to make his manner into the ring after the struggle to problem Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) face-to-face.
“It was a loopy expertise. We hustled our manner ringside, we yelled out at him and we ended up within the ring. It was good. I’m on his radar and he’s clearly on mine,” stated Goodman.
“I’ve bought a job to do right here in July however make no mistake, after this one I’ll be sitting out and ready for my shot.
“I do know what prepares me finest for that chance [against Inoue]. I’ve bought to remain energetic, I’ve bought to remain busy and I want one other check at that world degree earlier than I tackle Inoue.
“It’s the plan my staff has give you. I belief in my staff, I belief of their course of and their plans. It’s about placing me in the absolute best spot not simply to struggle the Monster, however to beat him. That’s what we’re going to do.
“I’ve bought lots in entrance of me and I can’t slip up right here. I’m going to do a job on this man, get him out of there and on to the subsequent one.”
Requested why he would danger a seven-figure payday by taking this struggle, Goodman replied: “I didn’t get on this sport to develop into a millionaire after I was 10 years previous. It’s all good and I need to receives a commission on the finish of it, but it surely’s about placing me in the perfect place to win these world titles.
“My staff consider one other hit-out at world degree and one other powerful check, simply getting in there and competing once more, that’s what it’s about. Getting in there, staying energetic and getting busy.
“This will likely be my final struggle earlier than the Monster. After this struggle and even now, all the things I do is pushing me in the direction of these world titles. It’s with that finish purpose in thoughts, this man is simply an impediment in entrance of me. I can’t slip up. I’ve bought to have full concentrate on him. However I do know what lies forward, so I’m not taking him frivolously. That is all the things for me.”
Worawut (25-0-1, 15 KOs) is little recognized exterior of his homeland, however he reportedly had 200-odd Muay Thai fights and comes from a fight sports activities household. The WBC ranks him at quantity eight on the idea of a regional belt however the one recognizable identify on his ledger is a effectively previous his prime Panya Uthok.
Nonetheless, Thailand is understood for producing powerful, rugged warriors who’re able to springing the upset if their extra favored opponent is underprepared.
Goodman says whereas he respects Worawut as a boxer; he simply feels he’s a bit higher than him in most classes.
“He’s a reputable opponent, he’s world ranked and he’s undefeated for a purpose,” he stated. “Early on I might need to suss him out just a little bit, however from what I’ve seen of him, I’ve bought greater than sufficient to deal with this bloke.”