Sam Goodman (22-1, 8 KOs) says he has left the past behind and is ready to join Australian boxing royalty when he meets former IBF bantamweight world champion Ryosuke Nishida (11-1, 2 KOs) for the IBF interim world super bantamweight title at Toyota Arena in Tokyo this Sunday.
The Albion Park star, ranked No. 2 by the IBF, faces the No. 1-ranked Nishida on the Prime Video Boxing 16 card, headlined by the WBC bantamweight world title rematch between Takuma Inoue and Tenshin Nasukawa.
Victory would place Goodman alongside the elite group of Australians to win world title gold in Japan, following Lionel Rose’s famous 1968 win over Fighting Harada in Tokyo, Johnny Famechon’s defence against Harada in 1970 and Andrew Moloney’s more recent success.
“I’m well aware of our history and the fighters who have come before me and done the job over here,” Goodman said.
“I’m looking to emulate what those guys have done and make myself a world champion.”
Goodman’s road to Tokyo has been anything but straightforward. Two freak sparring cuts forced him out of back-to-back dates with undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, before a decision loss to Nick Ball for the WBA featherweight title last year.
“I’m not too focused on the past at the moment. It’s been full of ups and downs, but we’re almost here now and we’re ready to go,” he said.
“It’s for sure shaped who I am and shaped me into the fighter I am, but becoming a world champion is the long-held dream for me and my team. I just know I’m going to get my hand raised.”
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Goodman respects the Japanese southpaw but backs himself to find a way to make history.
“He’s tricky, he’s got a good backhand and he’s a good boxer. But I do believe it is a good match-up for me. I’ve got no problem with southpaws, I’ve prepared extremely well and I think I’ve got more than enough to beat this guy.”
Nishida, who lost his IBF bantamweight crown to Junto Nakatani before moving up, is chasing world titles in two divisions in front of his home crowd.
“I will win decisively so that I can become a world champion in two weight classes,” Nishida said.
“He’s good at scoring points. That’s what makes him difficult. I don’t think I’ll be able to easily control the pace.
“He’s a mentally strong fighter and comes forward in the later rounds, so even if I get a good start, I think he will come forward. I think I have to win that battle with my mental strength.”
Watch Sam Goodman fight for the IBF Interim World Super Bantamweight Championship on Sunday, September, 27 at 6pm AEST, live and exclusive on Kayo Sports.
