Goodman beats Flores. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Australian junior featherweight contender Sam ‘The Ghost’ Goodman will take another shot before challenging 122kg world champion Naoya Inoue later this year.
The unbeaten 25-year-old from Albion Park in New South Wales will face fellow unbeaten chainoi Worawut of Thailand at the WIN Entertainment Center in Wollongong on July 10.
War is not without its dangers. Goodman (18-0, 8 knockouts), who is ranked No. 1 in Inoue’s rankings by the IBF and WBO, will see a million dollar payday as Japan’s fortunes disappear before his eyes if he loses to 26-year-old Worawut.
“I am a gambling man. I have to roll the dice. I’ll go in again,” said The Ring, who is ranked fourth in the junior featherweight division, at a press conference on Wednesday announcing the fight.
Goodman was at the forefront of Inoue’s six-round destruction of Mexican southpaw Luis Nery (35-2, 27 KOs) at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on May 6. He was able to enter the ring after the fight to challenge Inoue (27-) 0, 24 KOs) to the face. and face.
“It was a crazy thing. We crowded, shouted until we ended up in the ring. It was good. “I’m on his radar and obviously he’s on mine,” Goodman said.
“I have a job to do here in July but make no mistake, after that I will be sitting around waiting for my shot.
“I know what prepares me best for that opportunity [against Inoue]. I have to stay busy, I have to stay busy and I need another test at that world level before I face Inoue.
“This is the plan my team came up with. I trust my team, I trust their system and their plans. It’s about putting me in the best position to not just fight the Monster, but beat it. That’s what we’re going to do.
“I have a lot in front of me, I can’t slide here. I’m going to do a job for this guy, get him out of there and move on to the next one.”
Asked why he would risk leading seven people by taking on this fight, Goodman replied: “I didn’t get into this game to become a millionaire when I was 10 years old. It’s all good and I want to get paid in the end, but it’s about putting me in a good position to win these world titles.
“My team believes that another goal at world level and another tough test, just getting in there and competing again, that’s what it’s all about. Going in there, you are always active and busy.
“This will be my last fight before Nunu. After this fight and even now, everything I do is pushing me towards those world titles. With that end in mind, this guy is just an obstacle in front of me. I can’t slide. I have to focus on him fully. But I know what’s coming, so I’m not taking him lightly. This is all for me.”
Worawut (25-0-1, 15 KOs) is little known outside of his home country, but he reportedly had 200 Muay Thai fights and comes from a martial arts family. The WBC ranks him at number eight on the basis of the regional belt but the only notable name on his résumé is that he outclassed Panya Uthok.
However, Thailand is known for producing strong, tough warriors capable of causing upsets if their favorite opponents are not well prepared.
Goodman says that although he respects Worawut as a boxer; you just feel that you are slightly better than him in many areas.
“He is a reliable competitor, world class and undefeated for a reason,” he said. “I may have to take him out early, but from what I have seen of him, I have more than enough to deal with this young man.”
