Sam Goodman (boxer)

Last updated

Sam Goodman
Born
Sam Goodman

(1998-10-10) October 10, 1998 (age 26)
Other names
  • Sammy
  • The Ghost
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6+12 in (169 cm)
Reach66+12 in (169 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights21
Wins20
Wins by KO8
Losses1

Sam Goodman (born 10 October 1998) is an Australian professional boxer. He has challenged once for the WBA featherweight title in August 2025.

Contents

Early life

Hailing from Albion Park, New South Wales, Australia, Goodman was born on 10 October 1998. At the age of 10 years old, Goodman injured his arm while playing rugby league. His father who was a former rugby player (Steve) advised Sam to try boxing. He has listed Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. as his early boxing heroes, however, that would change as he got older, and he became more fond of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk. [1] [2]

Amateur career

Goodman started his amateur career after his father suggested to go to the local PCYC Sutherland Club, he didn't thrive immediately, even admitting that he used to cry at every loss, [3] but it didn't take him long to catch up, he also fought every week since he started amateur boxing, at the age of 12, Goodman won his first National title and took part in 100 fights in the unpaid ranks, he would peak in amateur career in 2017 world championships which he prevailed at, however he always preferred longer fights; "proper battles" as he called them, which is one reason he went professional in 2018. [2] Goodman also wanted to represent Australia in the 2020 Summer Olympics, but it wasn't meant to be. [1] As per BoxRec, Goodman won the Australian National Championships at "Schoolboy" age on 2012, he participated in the 2013 and 2014 National Championships Junior but would fall short at the semi-finals, on 2015 he participated in the Youth National Championships but would fail again at the semi-finals but would win a bronze medal in the 2016 version, he won the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA) 2016 world championships and the 2017 Oceanian championships. [4]

Professional career

Early career

Debut

Goodman stood at the super bantamweight division and made his debut match against Thai veteran, Worawatchai Boonjan on 13 April 2018, by that time, Thai had composed a record of 11–12–1, which would be a challenge for a debutant, Goodman won via 2nd round technical knockout. [5]

On 16 June 2021, Goodman successfully stopped Regional challenger Nort Beauchamp for the Australian Featherweight title, [6] he would have a new record of 9 wins, no losses and 5 knockouts, with wins against veterans and fellow newcomer boxers, and one of those victory is against olympian Simplice Fotsala. [2]

Rise up the ranks

Goodman vs. Mepranum

On 22 December 2021, a match between Goodman and three-time world challenger Richie Mepranum for the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight title took place at The Star, Sydney. [7] Goodman won via 6th round stoppage after Mepranum received an arm injury, therefore, Goodman is the new WBO Oriental champion. [8] [9]

Goodman vs. Fuse

Goodman would defend his WBO Oriental title against Japanese Fumiya Fuse for the vacant IBF Inter-continental super bantamweight title, Goodman won via unanimous decision. [10]

Goodman vs. Elorde

By July 2022 Goodman would be set to face former world challenger Juan Miguel Elorde, to defend his WBO Oriental and IBF Inter-continental titles, [3] [11] Goodman won via 8th round stoppage in a commanding display. [12]

Goodman vs. Doheny

After defeating Jason Cooper to defend his WBO Oriental belt, Goodman would now be facing his most challenging opponent, former IBF world champion Irish TJ Doheny for Goodman's WBO Oriental and IBF Inter-continental super bantamweight titles where Goodman would win via lop-sided decision overcoming a huge challenge. [2]

Goodman vs. Aleem

On early May 2023, Goodman would be scheduled to fight former WBA Interim super bantamweight champion Ra'eese Aleem in an IBF final eliminator match on 18 June 2023, [13] despite one judge making a rather "head-scratching" score of 116–112 for Aleem, Goodman still won via 12-round split decision, further increasing his world title shot. [14] [15]

Goodman vs. Flores

Goodman would win three more times against ranked fighters, first with experienced Miguel Flores, where Goodman won via a whopping unanimous decision, scoring 120–105 (x2) and 118–107 on the judges scorecards. [16]

Goodman vs. Liu

Goodman's next opponent was against undefeated Chinese boxer Zhong Liu on 15 December 2023 at Sydney, Australia, [17] where Goodman would win in another lop-sided however uneventful unanimous decision. This was Goodman's fourth fight of the year. [18]

Goodman vs. Schleibs

After a busy and amazing year of 2023 for Goodman, Goodman would already fight on 13 March 2024 against compatriot Mark Schleibs, where Goodman would finally gain a knockout win as he stopped Schleibs in the 4th round at Wollongong. [19]

Goodman vs. Worawut

In May 2024, Goodman traveled to Japan, nearly 6,500 kilometers from Australia, to watch Naoya Inoue knockout Luis Nery. He then presented a challenge to "The Monster" in a post-fight interview. Shortly after, however, Goodman's management announced that he would be fighting a tune-up match before his first world title challenge.

Goodman faced undefeated Chainoi Worawut on 10 July 2024 at Wollongong Entertainment Centre. [20] [21] Goodman prevailed in another wide-margin unanimous decision (119–109, 117–113 and 117–111) and fought through a left-hand injury sustained within the 6th round. [22] [23]

Cancelled bouts with Naoya Inoue

On October 3, 2024 it was reported that Goodman would challenge Naoya Inoue for the undisputed super bantamweight title in Tokyo, Japan on December 24, 2024. [24] [25] [26] On December 13 2024, it was reported that Goodman suffered a serious cut on his eyelid during sparring and the fight has been moved to January 24 2025. [27] His fight with Inoue was cancelled for the second time after he had again injured his left eyelid during training on the morning of January 11 2025. He was replaced by Kim Ye-joon. This cancellation will keep him from challenging Inoue for the foreseeable future. [28]

Goodman vs. Vaca

Goodman defeated Cesar Vaca Espinoza by unanimous decision at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, on 14 May 2025. [29] [30]

WBA featherweight championship challenge

Goodman vs. Ball

Goodman was scheduled to challenge English boxer Nick Ball, who holds the WBA featherweight title, on 16 August 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [31] Goodman lost by unanimous decision. [32]

Professional boxing record

21 fights20 wins1 loss
By knockout80
By decision121
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
21Loss20–1 Nick Ball UD1216 Aug 2025anb Arena, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaFor WBA featherweight title
20Win20–0Cesar Vaca EspinozaUD1014 May 2025Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
19Win19–0 Chainoi Worawut UD1210 Jul 2024Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia
18Win18–0Mark SchleibsTKO4 (10), 1:4513 Mar 2024 Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia
17Win17–0Zhong LiuUD1215 Dec 2023The Star, Sydney, Australia
16Win16–0 Miguel Flores UD1215 Oct 2023Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Australia
15Win15–0 Ra'eese Aleem SD1218 Jun 2023Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Australia
14Win14–0 TJ Doheny UD1012 Mar 2023 Sydney SuperDome, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Inter-Continental and WBO Oriental super bantamweight titles
13Win13–0Jason CooperUD108 Oct 2022Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow, AustraliaRetained WBO Oriental super bantamweight title
12Win12–0 Juan Miguel Elorde TKO8 (10), 1:2620 Jul 2022Hordern Pavilion, Sydney AustraliaRetained IBF Inter-Continental and WBO Oriental super bantamweight titles
11Win11–0Fumiya FuseUD1011 May 2022 Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow, AustraliaRetained WBO Oriental super bantamweight title;
Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight title
10Win10–0 Richie Mepranum TKO6 (10), 0:4822 Dec 2021 The Star, Sydney AustraliaWon vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight title
9Win9–0Nort BeauchampTKO6 (8), 1:1716 Jun 2021 International Convention Centre, Sydney, AustraliaWon vacant Australian featherweight title
8Win8–0Daniel CarrUD610 Apr 2021 Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Australia
7Win7–0Noldi ManakaneTKO1 (8), 2:457 Mar 2020Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow, Australia
6Win6–0Sunardi GamboaTKO3 (6), 2:0716 Nov 2019 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Australia
5Win5–0Claudevan SeseTKO3 (6), 2:3727 Jul 2019 Luna Park, Sydney, Australia
4Win4–0 Simplice Fotsala UD629 Mar 2019Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow, Australia
3Win3–0Shamal Ram AnujUD627 Oct 2018Taren Point Bowling Club, Taren Point, Australia
2Win2–0Richard LockettUD819 Aug 2018K Ranch Arena, Mt Hunter, Australia
1Win1–0Worawatchai BoonjanTKO2 (4), 0:4513 Apr 2018 Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club, Cronulla, Australia

References

  1. 1 2 Wainwright, Anson (March 9, 2022). "NEW FACES: SAM GOODMAN". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Sam Goodman - Next Fight, Fighter Bio, Stats & News". premierboxingchampions.com. Premier Boxing Champions. January 7, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Mortom, Finn (July 19, 2022). "'Cried after every loss': The crushing setback fueling rising Aussie boxing star". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  4. "Sam Goodman box-am". boxrec.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  5. "Bout". boxrec.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  6. Armit, Eric (June 19, 2021). "Justuce Huni defends Aussie heavyweight title with brutal Paul Gallen TKO". worldboxingnews.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  7. O'Brien, Liahm (December 22, 2021). "Sam Goodman '100 percent ready' to burst into the spotlight at Xmas Bash". theinnersanctum.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  8. Brunsdon, Simon; Bungard, Matt (December 22, 2021). "RECAP Paul Gallen stops Darcy Lussick in brutal bout; Hary Garside debut ends in controversy". amp.nine.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  9. Staff Writers from Fox Sports (December 23, 2021). "'Beyond Belief': Paul Gallen rocks Darcy Lussick in statement win after 'illegal move'". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  10. Naghten, Tom (May 11, 2022). "Gallen vs. Terzievski: Father time catches up with Paul Gallen as Terzievski survives late scare". sportingnews.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. Christ, Scott (July 17, 2022). "Gonzalez vs Dogboe, more: Boxing scheduel, how to watch, start times for 20-23, 2022". badlefthook.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  12. Jennings, Mitch (July 20, 2022). "Goodman retains regional straps in commanding display on Tszyu undercard" . Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  13. Stumberg, Patrick (March 3, 2023). "Sam Goodman vs Ra'eese Aleem final eliminator to join Tim Tszyu's summer return". badlefthook.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  14. BOXINGSCENE STAFF (June 18, 2023). "Sam Goodman: Ra'eese Aleem Was a Tough Test - We're Coming For Those Straps!". boxingscene.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  15. Walshaw, Nick (June 18, 2023). "How rogue judge's scorecard almost cost Sam Goodman title shot, and mate $50K". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  16. Mason, Paul (October 15, 2023). "Tim Tszyu vs. Brian Mendoza – Results & Post-Fight Report". proboxing-fans.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  17. Cocks, Anthony (December 13, 2023). "ACTIVE AUSSIE SAM GOODMAN CAPS BANNER 2023 WITH SYDNEY HEADLINER VS. ZHONG LIU". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  18. Cocks, Anthony (December 15, 2023). "SAM GOODMAN CLOSES 2023 WITH UNEVENTFUL WIN OVER ZHONG LIU, TARGETS INOUE-TAPALES CHAMP". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  19. Cocks, Anthony (March 13, 2024). "SAM GOODMAN STOPS MARK SCHLEIBS IN FOUR, EYES NAOYA INOUE FIGHT". ringtv.con. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  20. Cocks, Anthony (May 28, 2024). "GAMBLING MAN SAM GOODMAN RISKS SHOT AT NAOYA INOUE WITH TUNE-UP FIGHT". ringtv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  21. BOXINGSCENE STAFF (May 29, 2024). "Sam Goodman Risks Mandatory Status For Inoue Against Worawut". boxingscene.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  22. Dixon, Tris (July 10, 2024). "Sam Goodman breaks hand but wins to stay on track for Naoya Inoue". boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  23. Cocks, Anthony (July 10, 2024). "SAM GOODMAN OVERCOMES BROKEN HAND TO BEAT CHAINOI WORAWUT AND KEEP INOUE FIGHT IN PLAY". ringtv.com. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  24. "Sources: Inoue finalizing defense vs. Goodman". ESPN.com. October 3, 2024.
  25. Iskenderov, Parviz (October 5, 2024). "Naoya Inoue to face Sam Goodman in Tokyo, Japan in December". FIGHTMAG.
  26. Crose, Sean (October 4, 2024). "Ho Ho Ho: Naoya Inoue Likely to face Sam Goodman On Christmas Eve". BoxingInsider.com.
  27. Coppinger, Mike (December 13, 2024). "Naoya Inoue's title bout vs. Sam Goodman moved to Jan. 24". ESPN.
  28. Donovan, Jake (January 13, 2025). "Inoue's Three-Fight Plan For 2025 Remains: "Dates Different But We Still Have Same Goal"". The Ring.
  29. "Sam Goodman cut again but he outpoints Cesar Vaca in Sydney". Boxing Scene. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  30. "'Last six months have been wild': Aussie boxer Sam Goodman tears up in wake of emotional comeback victory". Nine. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  31. "Aussie boxer agrees to major change to set up blockbuster world title fight". Fox Sports. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  32. "Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte: Briton Nick Ball battles past Sam Goodman to retain world title". BBC Sport. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.