Five months have now passed since Sam Goodman twice suffered sparring cuts which cost him a $1 million showdown with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue.
Goodman vs Vaca | WED 14 MAY 7PM AEST | Australia’s undefeated Sam Goodman makes his long awaited return to the ring where he faces Mexico’s Cesar Vaca in Sydney. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
But on Wednesday night, the Albion Park product is looking to take a giant step towards a blockbuster US world title fight alongside Tim Tszyu when he faces Cesar Vaca Espinoza.
Espinoza, who previously spent two months in Japan sparring Inoue, said earlier in the week that Goodman’s cut “looks fragile” and is aiming to play spoiler in the No Limit showcase.
If Goodman has his way, however, he is on the verge of booking an interim super bantamweight fight in Las Vegas on the same night as Tszyu’s hyped rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
It is a huge opportunity for Goodman, especially considering the drama with Inoue, but it is one he will have to earn first against the tricky Mexican fighter, who has a 19-1-1 record with 12 knockouts.
“This guy isn’t who he says he is,” Espinoza said earlier in the week.
“Sam Goodman says he is the best fighter at 122 pounds. That just isn’t true. He hasn’t fought against the best.
“Has no power. And I will show all this Wednesday night.”
Goodman eyes belts after Vaca clash | 01:07
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s card will also see Harry Garside make his much-anticipated return to the professional ranks as he faces Charlie Bell.
Garside has plenty of sceptics, with his last professional fight coming three years ago, but the 27-year-old isn’t giving them too much thought.
“There’s a lot of people out there in the boxing world who may not like me,” he said.
“And that’s fine. You’re not going to please everyone with what you do.
“But at the same time, I’m the man in the arena having a red hot crack.
“And win, lose or draw, I’m in the arena having a red hot crack while they’re in their rooms critiquing me.
“I also know there are so many Australians who support me and I’m going to try my best and listen to them over the next 24 hours.”
Rising lightweight prospect and old amateur rival, Ahmad Reda, was one of Garside’s biggest critics at this week’s press conference but was left stranded by a surprise withdrawal for his scheduled bout.
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MUM TO THE RESCUE FOR PARR AFTER PRE-FIGHT DRAMA
Jasmine Parr has taken longer to find a mouthguard than finish Jittamat Phomta in a performance that, afterwards, also saw her call out several rivals — including Australian boxing queen Shannon O’Connell.
Fighting for the first time under new coach, and Australian fight great Paul Briggs, 22-year-old Parr needed just 71 seconds to stop her Thai rival in a convincing first round finish.
Incredibly, the fighter’s quick work followed a much longer drama — with Parr having initially arrived at the Hordern Pavilion without her mouthguard, forcing mum to make a rushed trip back to the fighter hotel.
“I may or may have not forgotten my mouthguard,” Parr laughed afterwards in the ring with Main Event’s Ben Damon.
“Mum may have got her five minutes ago with it.
“So shout out to my mum.”
Asked what was next for her, Parr suggested either a fight with Sydneysider Mai Soliman, or even a rematch against O’Connell, who beat the hyped super flyweight last December by decision.
The Queenslander also called out Soliman, saying: “We’ve asked (to fight) three times.
“But as soon as the contract comes out it’s radio silence.”
START TIME: What time does the Sam Goodman vs Cesar Vaca Espinoza fight start?
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