Home Boxing Tszyu’s sidekick no more: Aussie beast lands Sydney blockbuster, eyes shot at Japanese ‘Monster’

Tszyu’s sidekick no more: Aussie beast lands Sydney blockbuster, eyes shot at Japanese ‘Monster’

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Tszyu’s sidekick no more: Aussie beast lands Sydney blockbuster, eyes shot at Japanese ‘Monster’

AUSTRALIA’S undefeated Sam Goodman has declared himself ready for a shot at Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue – or even a shock push for featherweight gold – after signing on for his first major No Limit headliner.

Fox Sports Australia can reveal Goodman — the fighter who once declared himself the ‘Robin’ to Tim Tszyu’s Batman — will finally headline his own No Limit boxing card in Sydney this December.

Having already gone undefeated through his first 16 fights, and defeated two top five fighters in his past three showdowns, the rising super bantamweight now wants to parlay his Sydney showcase into a world title blockbuster showdown — with Inoue, arguably the greatest fighter anywhere on earth, among the potential rivals.

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Naoya Inoue of Japan is one of the world’s finest fighters.
Naoya Inoue of Japan is one of the world’s finest fighters.Source: AFP

Dubbed ‘Monster’, the 30-year-old Japanese poster boy has gone undefeated through 25 fights and currently holds both the WBO and WBC super bantamweight titles – having moved up after already unifying the division beneath him.

According to recent US media reports, Inoue will look to unify his second division against Filipino Marlon Tapales – who holds the IBF and WBA straps — on December 26 in Tokyo.

It means that while Goodman is ranked No. 1 for both the WBO and IBF crowns, he will have to wait until at least after Christmas to see who his own title shot will come against.

Sam Goodman has been on a red-hot run this year.Source: Getty Images

Should the Monster again become undisputed, there have been suggestions he will vacate immediately to chase big money fights in higher weight classes.

Yet if he stays?

Enter Goodman.

Better, and to ensure he is ready when said title shot comes, the fighter training out of Central Coast’s Complete Boxing gym will now fight for a fourth time this year atop a Sydney card that could also include fellow Aussie contender Liam Wilson.

While no opponent has yet been confirmed, promoters No Limit are said to be only days away from announcing their pick from a list of ranked options.

While Goodman is ready for a shot at Inoue – who sits behind only Terence Crawford in pound-for-pound rankings – both the fighter and his manager Pete Mitrevski stressed they will not sit idle or be dictated to by others when it comes to chasing world title belts.

So as for who the Aussie thinks will be division king by the end of this year?

“Inoue definitely unifies,” he told Fox Sports Australia.

“But whatever he does after that, who knows?

“We’ll have to wait and see.

“Every day I’m hearing a new whisper – he will vacate straight away, he defends once, defends twice … it’s changing all the time.

“Personally, I think he has that December fight, unifies and moves on.

“The money fights in the higher divisions are probably what he’s looking for at this stage of his career.

“But I’m not worried about any of that. And I won’t be waiting long.

“I want to stay active. Stay busy.

“That way when my world title shot does come I’ll be ready. I’m not going to have my career dictated by others.”

Japan’s Naoya Inoue is out to unify the division.Source: AFP

Mitrevski revealed he was also now looking at potential featherweight title bouts, saying: “We’re looking at other champions above us and will go wherever the best opportunity lies”.

Goodman stressed, however, that he is definitely ready to challenge Inoue for all the belts if he does choose to hang around.

“He’s obviously a great fighter but every man is beatable,” stressed the Albion Park product whose famed supporter crew, The Mad Bunch, are unmistakeable on fight night.

“And us Aussies, we’ve pulled off plenty of upsets in our time.

“Right now, I’ve got no idea what Inoue does. And really, that’s on him.

“I’m only worried about myself and being ready when my shot gets called.

“And it’s not just Inoue I’m ready for.

“When my name gets called for that title shot, I’m taking it. And that should come early next year.

“It’s why I’m staying busy and continuing to take hard fights, because it puts me in the best spot to win the world titles when those opportunities eventually do come.

“That’s why we’re doing this. That’s it.”

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After acting as Tim Tszyu’s co-main for all three of his most recent outings, the new role as headliner confirms Goodman’s ongoing rise in the sport.

“This is something I’ve thought about for a long time,” he said.

“And while I wouldn’t say I’m proud – because I always knew I would do it – the fact I’m headlining is reassuring as it confirms where I’m at.

“Now I just have to keep things going, keep building towards that world title shot.”

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