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Sam Goodman Rolls the Dice Against Chainoi Worawut as December Fight with Naoya Inoue Approaches

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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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Boxing

Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

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Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

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Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

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Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

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Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

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Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

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