Australia’s Sam Goodman appears on track to face Japanese wrecking machine Naoya Inoue later this year.
Inoue improved to 27-0 (24 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage victory over Luis Nery in front of a packed Tokyo Dome on Monday.
The win saw “The Monster” retain all four belts at super bantamweight and cemented his status in the eyes of many as the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
MORE: Naoya Inoue is pound-for-pound number one: Move over Bud Crawford, The Monster is king
After a shock knockdown in the first round, Inoue bounced back in style, dropping Nery with left hooks of his own in the second and fifth before a short right hand finished the job in the sixth.
Naoya Inoue's next fight: Sam Goodman emerges as likely choice
Goodman, who is rated the number one contender at 122-pounds with the WBO and IBF, faced off with Inoue in the ring immediately after the bout.
“I would love to go into the negotiations to fight against Sam Goodman in September,” Inoue told the adoring crowd.
“I’ve been mandatory for over a year, either give up the belts, or fight me,” Goodman responded. “Let’s get it on,” before the pair shook hands.
Speaking shortly afterwards, the undefeated 25-year-old said he can see a path to victory against the two-weight undisputed champion.
“I’ve seen enough in the fight to know that I can do what I need to do to win that fight,” Goodman said.
“I’ve been saying it for how long? I want world titles, he’s got them all, I’ve got to fight him.
“I’ve got to box my best but I believe if I can do it, I can beat this man
“Everyone’s human. At any given moment, anyone can beat anyone.
“It’s up to me to box the perfect fight and to really put it on him. I’ve seen plenty in there to show that I can really push this guy and, not just push him, beat him.”
Top Rank boss Bob Arum, who co-promotes Inoue, was also captured speaking with Goodman, seemingly confirming that all parties were interested in making the fight happen.
“We have your numbers and everything, Top Rank, we’re looking to do a big fight for [Inoue] in September or October,” Arum told Goodman.
Goodman’s promoter, George Rose of No Limit Boxing, said negotiations were already underway to make the fight happen.
“Now we just work on a date,” Rose told The Sporting News.
“We’ve been talking with Mr. Honda [Inoue’s Japanese promoter] and Top Rank to work out what the best time and location is to fight.”
Rose said they would make an offer to host the fight in Australia but conceded Inoue and his team hold all the cards.
“We’ll push an offer to try to get to Australia,” he said.
“I’m highly confident that they’ll prefer to fight in Japan and that’s what the conversations have been saying at the moment but we’d love to get something locked away and announced very soon.
“When you’re a bloke that sells out the Tokyo Dome and has 55,000 people screaming for you, they’re not going to want to leave Japan any time soon.”
Reports suggested Inoue was in line to pocket around 1 billion Yen (AU$9.8 million) for the Nery fight and Rose is confident Goodman would be well looked after should he get his chance at the undisputed king.
“It’ll be the biggest payday of his career, the biggest payday available in the lower weights,” Rose said.
“The lighter weights, historically, they don’t attract big paydays but a fight with Inoue is one that does put you into that seven-figure category.”
There’s no doubt Goodman would go into the bout as a significant underdog.
Inoue, 31, was dropped for the first time in his career on Monday but looked better than ever over the next five rounds.
With knockout wins over the likes of Nery, Marlon Tapales, Stephen Fulton, Paul Butler, Nonito Donaire, Jason Moloney, Manny Rodriguez and Jamie McDonell, Inoue’s resume is arguably the strongest in the sport.
Goodman, 18-0, fought his way to title contention with victories over TJ Doheny and Ra’eese Aleem but, as he acknowledged, would need the box the perfect fight to knock off Inoue.
“It’s exciting and it just goes to show it’s possible,” said Goodman regarding his post-fight exchange with the champion.
“He’s obviously been eyeing me off as well for some time.
“I’m on his radar, of course he’s on mine, he’s got all the belts. Let’s get it on.”
Naoya Inoue record, bio
- Nationality: Japanese
- Born: April 10, 1993 (aged 31)
- Height: 5-5
- Reach: 67.5 inches
- Total fights: 26
- Record: 27-0 with 24 wins via knockout
Sam Goodman record, bio
- Nationality: Australian
- Born: October 10, 1998 (aged 25)
- Height: 5-6 1/2
- Reach: 66.5 inches
- Total fights: 18
- Record: 18-0 with 8 wins via knockout