Junior featherweight title challenger Sam “The Ghost” Goodman will risk his mandatory fight against undisputed 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue when he faces tough Thai Chainoi “The Rockman” Worawut at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, Novel South Wales, Australia, next Wednesday night.

The fight is a matter of life and death for Goodman. A loss for the 25-year-old Australian at Albion Park would see him at the back of the queue; a win would see him retain his position.

So why fight?

“It was always in the cards and it looked like there was a chance I could fight for a world title. That’s more or less the reason,” Goodman (18-0, 8 KOs) told The Ring

“As you’ve seen over the last 12 months, I like to stay vigorous. I train all year round. And after my last fight, I thought it would be another good test, to fight someone who is world class and get back out there with a world class opponent before I face the likes of Inoue.”

Goodman has always had a busy schedule. Other than the first year of COVID-19 in 2020, he has boxed at least three times a year throughout his career. Last year, he picked up the gloves four times, defeating Ring-ranked contenders Ra’eese Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs) and TJ Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) and claiming the scalps of Miguel Flores (25-5-1, 12 KOs) and Zhong Liu (19-1, 7 KOs), all by decision.

In this sport, activity matters.

“It’s not about getting worse or anything like that, it’s just building and building on what I’ve done and hitting challenging before I get to the biggest fight of my life. That’s what it’s all about,” said The Ring’s No. 4-ranked junior featherweight contender, who is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Mark Schleibs in March.

“It’s another good, tough test; to get through it and pass with distinction, and then move on to the most vital fight of my life.”

Goodman lands a hook on Mark Schleib in his final fight. (Photo courtesy of No Limit Boxing)

Bangkok’s Worawut, also known as Thachtana Luangphon (25-0-1, 15 KOs), won’t be flying to Australia just for a free vacation and a packet of cream cookies. The seasoned former Thai boxer has a powerful right hook and a jarringly tiny left hook, weapons the 27-year-old will look to utilize against Goodman in his first boxing fight outside his home country.

“He doesn’t have the bad eye and he’s pretty composed there as well,” Goodman said of his opponent. “He’s pretty tranquil, but I don’t think he’s had too much adversity in his career. I think I have more than enough skills to frustrate anyone in this division. Not just to frustrate them, but to really make them wonder what they’re doing in the ring. I think there’s a lot of things I can take advantage of.”

“I think my strength will be controlling the pace of the fight and where it takes place.”

In a recent interview with Wasim Mather for this website, Worawut spoke about Goodman’s skills as a boxer.

“Sam Goodman is a good fighter with quick footwork. He’s always waiting for a counterattack and has a great lead hand,” he said.

“It’s like another fight. I’ve been training 100% for over two months. My goal is to fight Inoue; that’s my dream, but first I have to win the fight with Goodman.”

Both boxers enter the fight with enormous pressure, and the winner will be able to count on the biggest prize in the lighter weight classes.

“Beating me will change the course of Worawut’s career,” Goodman said. “I’m aware of that. Like I said before, I’m just focused on myself and what I need to do.

“I don’t really care what he thinks or any of the pressure he puts on himself. I just focus on getting the job done and doing it well. That’s where my head is right now.”

“I’m not thinking about it too much. I’m just enjoying fight week again, fighting a guy in my hometown, which could be my last fight here for a while, but who knows? I’m just enjoying everything that comes with it. But I’m pretty focused on this fight. I’m in the best shape of my career and I’ve done everything right, so I’m not taking any risks.”

Japanese superstar Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs), the No. 2 boxer in the world according to The Ring magazine regardless of weight class, is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The 31-year-old from Yokohama is expected to return in September, with the resurgent left-hander Doheny considered a potential opponent. The 37-year-old Irishman, who lives in Australia, has successfully built a profile for himself in Japan, notching three straight knockout wins over solid opponents over the past year.

Speaking to In slow May, Inoue’s American co-promoter, Bob Arum, expanded the plan for the 122-pound world champion.

“The plan is for Inoue to fight again in Japan in September. And then, depending on how everything goes there, he will fight again at the end of the year, maybe in Riyadh,” the Top Rank boss said.

“Both Sam Goodman and the Irishman (Doheny) are great opponents. I had a chance to talk to Sam briefly this week in Tokyo and I was very impressed with his attitude. So whether he’ll fight Inoue in September or December, I don’t know.

“But he will definitely fight Inoue this year.”

Goodman knows what he is risking by facing Worawut, but believes he will be in better shape when he faces Inoue in five months.

“That’s the plan. Our plan has always been to fight him in December. That’s what we’re working towards. Everything I’ve done this year is a stepping stone toward that ultimate goal,” Goodman said.

“That’s on my mind and it motivates me every day. It’s close, but there’s still a lot of work to do. And it starts July 10th. I’ve got one more guy to deal with, and once I deal with him, I’ll be fully focused on the December date.”

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