Korean Ye-Joon Kim named as emergency substitute
By Joe Koizumi
WBO, IBF mandatory challenger, Aussie Sam Goodman eventually became a calamity to defending champ Naoya Inoue as well as all Japanese boxing fans on Friday. He suffered a cut at the left optic to cancel his shot at “Monster” Inoue on December 24 and AGAIN the postponed date January 24.
Promoter Hideyuki Ohashi, however, has quickly announced WBO#11 Korean Ye-Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) will be an urgent substitute for Goodman who needed a surgery of four stitches. The show will take place as planned at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 24. The substitute Kim’s nickname is “Troublemaker,” but Kim may give his name to Goodman.
Stage fright!
Sorry. Couldn’t resist. I’m sure his injury is legit. I wish Monster would move up one or two more weight classes. Everything in due time.
Whether the injury is real or not, he never had a chance. Now by staying on the sidelines for 6 months he’ll get to avoid Inoue who is supposed to fight in the USA next and Saudi after.
However Nakatani should be moving up soon and he (Goodman) may have to rekon with him. Without at least some punching power, his days are numbered.