Jeff Fenech has branded Sam Goodman the only super bantamweight on the planet capable of upsetting Japanese megastar Nayoa Inoue, with the Hall of Famer suggesting the champ would “eat up” everyone else in the division.
The assessment comes as Goodman himself readies to make history in 2024, declaring: “I want to follow in Jeff’s footsteps, win multiple world titles and put myself up there as one of the best this country has ever produced”.
Fenech will be ringside this Friday night in commentary when Goodman headlines his first Australian showcase against rising Chinese super bantamweight prodigy Zhong Liu (19-0) at Sydney’s The Star.
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With Goodman having gone undefeated through five years and 16 professional fights, the Aussie legend has declared him the nation’s best prospect outside Tim Tszyu and suggested he is capable of eventually unifying the division where he himself won WBC gold in 1987.
While also convinced Goodman can give Inoue “the best fight he’s ever had”, Fenech stressed he could also see a path to greatness for the Wollongong product without having to “risk” his undefeated streak against a fighter he ranks above even Terence Crawford as pound for pound No.1.
Undefeated in 25 fights and holding both the WBC and WBO titles, Inoue will look to unify a second weight class when he faces Filipino Marlon Tapales in Japan on December 26.
Should the fighter dubbed ‘Monster’ create history – as he is favoured to do as the $1.06 TAB favourite — it remains unclear if he will then have one more fight in the weight class, or simply move up to featherweight where history again beckons.
Given Goodman is already the No.1 contender for both the IBO and WBO straps, a win against Liu will put him into contention for an immediate unification bout – which, unsurprisingly, he has already called for.
When it comes to fighting the Japanese star though, Fenech said the 25-year-old “doesn’t need to take that risk” and predicted Inoue could even take the decision from his hands by moving up immediately.
The Aussie boxing legend quickly added however that Goodman was the division’s one contender capable of taking it to a star who “eats up” the rest of the field.
“Because when we’re talking about Australian prospects, Sam Goodman is our best outside Tim Tszyu,” Fenech stressed.
“He has the ability, the skill, the speed.
“And he has this incredible belief in himself that, right now, is making him so hard to beat.
“To do what Sam has done this year, to beat the calibre of fighters he has, it’s special.”
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Asked about the idea of Goodman versus Inoue, Fenech suggested the Japanese poster boy will almost certainly go up after one defence, or even immediately if he beats Tapales convincingly.
“And I know Sammy would fight Inoue,” Fenech said. “And probably give him the best fight he’s ever had.
“But I also think Inoue is the best fighter in the world right now.
“I also think Inoue beats Tapales and then looks for something higher because everyone else in that division (outside Goodman), I think he eats them all up.
“I also think Sammy Goodman beats everybody else in that division.
“And that is why I just don’t think he and his team need to take that risk.
“I think Sammy can eventually unify the division himself, he just needs to take his time.”
Certainly a win over Liu this Friday night will also cap off a huge year for Goodman who, fighting four times in the calendar year, has beaten former world champ TJ Doheny and upset hyped American contender Ra’eese Aleem.
Asked about following in the footsteps of Fenech, he told Fox Sports Australia: “To be able to hold a belt that one of Australia’s greatest has owned, that would be outstanding.
“A really cool storyline and something I’m looking to do.
“I want to follow in Jeff’s footsteps, win multiple world titles and put myself up there as one of the best this country has ever produced.”
Currently, Ring magazine has Goodman ranked sixth among all super bantamweights, something the fighter admits has motivated what come Friday night can become four straight wins within a calendar year.
“Absolutely,” the fighter said when asked if the sixth place positioning was fuel for him.
“I think I can beat anyone is this division.
“But I just have to keep building, keep stacking the resume with big names.
“For super bantamweights, I’m still the Ring magazine’s youngest ranked fighter.
“But while time is on my side, I’m not looking to take my time.
“Next year I’ll be fighting for world titles.
“Although right now, it’s the guy in front of me that matters.
“And I’m ready to show I’m levels above him.”
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Both Fenech and Goodman are tipping Inoue to beat Tapales later this month.
Asked if he could see the Japanese champ going undefeated right throughout his career like Floyd Mayweather, Fenech continued: “I’m not too sure about that.
“And for only one reason – Inoue will keep stepping up in weight.
“He will step up, step up and step up.
“I’m not saying Floyd Mayweather never fought the best, but as you keep stepping up from those smaller weight classes – as the opponents get bigger and bigger … it’s tough.
“But I have no doubt if Inoue stayed in his own weight class he would be 100-and-zero.”
Goodman said of the fight that “you have to favour Inoue”.
“Obviously everyone is beatable and Tapales, he could pull off a miracle on the night,” he suggested.
“It’s boxing, anything can happen and that’s why we love the sport.
“But I’m definitely favouring Inoue.
“Just the power he carries, I think he’ll be too big and strong.”
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