Australia’s Sam Goodman has spent over 5.5 million Japanese yen ($A56,000) to ensure his infamous supporter crew – aka The Mad Bunch — can bypass boxing’s most unique ticketing lottery and cheer him to a moment being likened to Warnie’s ‘Ball of the Century’.
Less than a fortnight out from his world title blockbuster against Japan’s Naoya Inoue on Christmas Eve, Fox Sports Australia can reveal Goodman has requested, and received, a unique contract clause allowing for the purchase of 100 tickets inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
The request was initially pushed for by the Australian several months ago, when his fight with Inoue was first being finalised, and due to The Mad Bunch being easily the largest supporter crew of any Aussie boxer currently throwing hands.
BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Given Inoue is such a megastar in Japan, and his fights sell out so quickly, fans seeking to attend have recently been forced to go into the same type of ticket lottery usually reserved for sporting events like the Olympics.
And with Goodman having a whopping crew of 100 family and friends travelling to watch the fight on Christmas Eve … well, the undefeated super bantamweight wanted to ensure that nobody missed out on a seat for his date with the man dubbed ‘Monster’.
Problem was, earlier this year Inoue sold out the famed Tokyo Dome, which seats 55,000.
That meant Japanese officials initially baulked at the challenger’s request for a run of tickets stretching into triple figures, stressing they couldn’t take that many away from eager hometown fans, even though the former Illawarra Steelers barman had no problem paying from his own pocket
Yet despite the initial refusal, Goodman stuck to the task just like fellow Aussie star Tim Tszyu is tipping him to do on December 24, with ‘The Soul Taker’ backing his No Limit stablemate to create “one of the top five moments in Australian sporting history”.
“Sam Goodman wins this fight,” Tszyu said this week, “and he’s a superstar.
“Set for superstardom.
“It’s crazy.
“And I’ll definitely be cheering him on from my lounge room on Christmas Eve.”
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And if he wins?
“Stuff Australia’s greatest boxing moment,” Tszyu grinned, “this would be one of the top five sporting moments in our history”.
Better, Goodman’s crew will all be there live to cheer him on.
Speaking this week, the fighter’s manager Pete Mitrevski not only confirmed the unique ticketing clause, but revealed how Japanese officials initially baulked at the request – saying they wouldn’t be able to reserve so many seats in a stadium holding 15,000.
“And that was two months ago,” Mitrevski shrugged, explaining how it initially seemed the entire Mad Bunch would be subjected to a lottery.
“But Sammy just said with so many family and friends coming, he had to get those seats.
“And he sorted it.
“All up, he’s got 100 people travelling for this fight … and it would’ve been 500 were it not Christmas.”
Mitrevski explained that Goodman eventually negotiated for 100 seats in a section where tickets cost ¥55,000 — which converts to a total outlay of over $56,000.
All of which is still something of a deal considering ringside seats for this fight are worth $A3000 each and even those up in the nosebleeds are ¥33,000, or $330 each.
The costs are also understandable when you consider, back in May, Inoue sold out the Tokyo Dome for his hyped showdown with Mexico’s Luis Nery.
The event earned a $30 million gate.
BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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Considered by many as the best boxer anywhere on planet earth, Inoue has already won titles across four divisions – including two, undisputed – and boasts a staggering knockout ratio of around 90 per cent.
Tszyu also named the fighter as his own reigning pound-for-pound No.1, picking him ahead of fellow stars like heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk and American megastar Terence Crawford.
Yet Tszyu says if his mate can do the unthinkable in Japan, it will rank among the greatest moments in the nation’s proud sporting history – alongside the likes of Warnie, Thorpie, Cathy and a shirtless John Aloisi.
“It’s a crazy opportunity,” Tszyu said.
“And I know Sam has been preparing crazily for it.
“But as for what he needs to do to beat Inoue?
“That’s a good question.
“Because I rate Inoue the No.1 pound-for-pound.
“So Sam has to come in with the right game plan, has to make this his fight.
“And technically, he’s a great fighter.
“Incredibly fit too, controls distance well and always comes into every preparation 100 per cent ready.
“That’s what sets him apart.”
Despite being deep into his own world title preparations, Goodman will be at Sydney’s The Star tonight (Friday) to watch his gym partner Kaye Scott compete for her own world title.
Training alongside Goodman at the Central Coast’s Complete Boxing gym, Scott takes on experienced Queenslander Desley Robinson for the IBF women’s middleweight crown.
The championship bout forms part of an exciting card that also marks the return of Brock Jarvis – who could challenge Nikita Tszyu in early 2025 with a win – and the hyped professional debut of Olympian Callum ‘50 Cal’ Peters.
Goodman will have one final sparring session in Sydney on Saturday before jetting out for Japan.
Earlier this year, No Limit promoter Matt Rose said that if Goodman wins, the rematch with Inoue alone will be worth $10 million to him.
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