By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Undisputed world 122-pound champion “Monster” Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) will put all his belts on the line against IBF#1, WBO#1 Aussie Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) on Christmas Eve in Tokyo, Japan. Hideyuki Ohashi of Ohashi Promotions has announced the confrontation of the unbeaten super bantamweights at Ariake Arena here today (Thursday). Goodman, five years his junior at 26, defeated ex-titlist TJ Doheny and previously unbeaten Ra’eese Aleem in Australia last year. Goodman appearing on line at the press conference, Inoue called him, saying, “Let’s make it a hot affair.” Sam quickly responded, “Let’s meet in Tokyo.”
Beneath the Inoue-Goodman title go, WBO bantam ruler Yoshiki Takei (10-0, 8 KOs) will make his second defense since dethroning Jason Moloney this May. His challenger will be announced soon.
Have an undisputed champion who fights three times in one year and he fought last December. When you have some of the biggest names fighting once a year or once every 18 months or so, that’s pretty impressive.
Inoue certainly deserves a lot of credit for being active. Far easier to remain undefeated when you only fight once a year.
Inoue is gonna slice thru Goodman like a hot knife thru soft butter. Not sure Goodman had much of choice. Nice stay busy fight for the monster. Whoever does take the monster down will have to be able to hurt him.
I don’t think hurting Inoue really works Nery dropped him and that only seemed to piss him off. Donaire broke Inoue’s orbital bone, and after that Donaire was lucky to escape with his life. I personally think the most likely person to beat Inoue is a busy fighter that moves constantly and spoils with excess holding any time Inoue looks to throw a punch. Nobody has ever been able to disrupt Inoue’s game. I thought Fulton would. I don’t think Goodman will.
This is what I call a great Christmas present, if you are a true boxing fan, over 50 years for me, fighters of this caliber are treat to watch.
Goodman has a better chance of beating Inoue than anyone else in the division. Inoue in 9
Is Goodman another over-hyped Aussie?
Let’s see Inoue/Casimero! Make it happen!
Poor Sam Goodman, you decided to make a living being a boxer, and this is the thanks you get.
Sadly, Goodman would appear to lack the power to keep Inoue at bay. It has the potential of being a very long or very short night for Goodman.
29-0-26 KOs coming up
Seems like goodman doesn’t have the power to hurt Inoue, probably can’t outbox him either. Only option left is to survive 12 rounds against the monster.