Exclusive — ‘Running at the Monster’: Bold bid to bring world’s best boxer Down Under revealed

Sam Goodman is suddenly a chance of being catapulted into an Australian world title blockbuster – and his very own ‘Manny Pacquiao moment’ — as promoters No Limit launch an audacious bid to bring Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue Down Under.

Seven years after Jeff Horn upset the legendary Pacquiao in front of 60,000 screaming fans at Suncorp Stadium, Fox Sports Australia can reveal a push is now underway for Goodman to receive his own shot at boxing immortality.

Already, the undefeated 25-year-old has punched his way into the mandatory challenger position for IBF super bantamweight gold – which is one of four straps held by Inoue, the division’s undisputed king and arguably the greatest fighter anywhere on earth.

BOXING: Goodman v Schleibs & Hardman v Saavedra | WED 13 MAR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Yet rather than sit around waiting for the Japanese phenom dubbed ‘Monster’, whose next defence is likely to be Mexico’s Luis Nery in May, Goodman is instead continuing to stay busy, roll the dice – and win.

As a result, the popular Albion Park native is currently preparing for an upcoming Pay-Per-View headliner against brash Melburnian Mark Schleibs, which takes places inside Wollongong Entertainment Centre on March 13.

A fight for which, suddenly, the stakes are even greater than first thought.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on Monday afternoon, No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed talks were already underway with Top Rank boss Bob Arum about bringing Inoue Down Under this year.

The revelation is sure to become one of the biggest talking points when both Rose and Goodman front a fight press conference at Wollongong Entertainment Centre on Tuesday morning.

Should the Inoue fight be made in Australia, Goodman would not only find himself headlining one of the modern era’s biggest fights Down Under, but a chance of inking his name alongside the likes of Horn and Danny Green, who famously upset Roy Jones Jnr by KO in 2009.

“This would be a huge coup for not only Australian boxing, but Australian sport,” Rose said.

“Inoue is a once-in-a-generation fighter.

“And in my opinion, the world’s No.1 pound-for-pound.

“When you look at his records, his world titles, all of the achievements – it’s phenomenal.

“It’s why the guy is packing out stadiums in Japan, why he has such a huge following globally and why whenever he takes a world title fight, it’s something the whole world tunes in for.

“The aura he has at the moment, the fighter you compare him to is Pacquaio.

“Because it doesn’t matter if you’re from the Philippines or not, if you’re a boxing fan you’re a Manny fan.

“Same with Inoue.”

Rose quickly added however that Goodman’s shot against Inoue, and all four straps, would obviously go ahead only if he beats Schleibs in next month’s Wollongong headliner.

“So this next fight is suddenly a huge risk,” he conceded. “Because if Sammy loses to Schleibs, he loses everything.

“But like Tim Tszyu, he wants to keep fighting and always stay ready.

“Sam Goodman’s a competitor.

“Has been since the amateurs.

“And that’s why while almost everyone is running from Inoue and the monster he’s become in the sport globally, Sammy Goodman is running towards him.

“Going at him head on.

“This is the fight Sam wants and one we want in Australia.”

BOXING: Goodman v Schleibs & Hardman v Saavedra | WED 13 MAR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Better, Rose insists his man can create his some underdog story like Horn and Green previously.

“When you look at the opponents Inoue has had lately, Sammy is very different,” the promoter explained.

“And that’s why he can be the one who takes it to the champ.

“Who upsets the apple cart.

“Because Sammy Goodman is a guy who can’t be hit.

“He’s always in front of you, but the guy can’t be hit.

“And that’s why he is pursuing this fight so confidently.”

And if he wins?

“Absolutely changes his life,” Rose said.

Undefeated in all 26 fights as a professional, Inoue initially unified the bantamweight division before moving up a weight class for more of the same in 2023 – taking all four straps in title fights against Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales.

While there have been suggestions ‘Monster’ could now move up again for big fights at featherweight, or even super featherweight, the champion recently suggested he wants to stay where he is and dominate.

In a recent interview, Inoue said his plan is to box three times this year – starting with a Tokyo blockbuster against Nery, in May.

The champ said he then wants to fight again in September, before turning around once more in December.