Sam Goodman’s highly anticipated world title fight against Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue has been postponed after the Australian boxer suffered a training injury just days before the bout.
The 26-year-old sustained a significant cut above his left eye during his final sparring session on Saturday, forcing his team to call off the Christmas Eve fight in Tokyo.
Goodman, undefeated in 19 fights, had been preparing to face Inoue for the undisputed super bantamweight title, a fight that promised to be the biggest challenge of his career.
However, the injury occurred as he was wrapping up an intense training camp.
Head coach Joel Keegan and manager Peter Mitrevski ultimately decided the risk was too great to proceed.
‘He would’ve been cut open again if he was wearing eight-ounce gloves,’ Mitrevski said.
Australian fighter Sam Goodman has been forced to postpone his world title shot after sustaining a cut above the eye in training
As Goodman realised the severity of the situation he let out several frustrated expletives
The injury required four stitches, with medical advice ruling Goodman out of action for at least four weeks.
Despite Goodman’s insistence that he could still fight, his team determined that postponing the bout was the only option.
Footage of the sparring session captured the devastating moment Goodman realised the fight was off, with the fighter letting out an anguished expletive as blood poured from the wound.
Goodman’s promoter, Matt Rose of No Limit Boxing, confirmed efforts are underway to reschedule the fight, but there is no guarantee Inoue will agree to a delay.
Inoue, undefeated with a 29-0 record, holds all the super bantamweight belts and has dominated the division in recent years.
Known as ‘The Monster’ for his knockout power, Inoue may choose to move on rather than wait for Goodman’s recovery.
The postponement is a crushing blow for Goodman, who had dedicated himself to a grueling training regime in preparation for the fight.
The Australian, nicknamed ‘Mr. Mandatory,’ had expressed confidence in his ability to dethrone Inoue.
‘I’m not going in there to last. I’m going in there to win. That’s where my head’s at,’ he said last month.
Goodman’s injury adds to a difficult year for Australian boxing.
Tim Tszyu suffered back-to-back losses in 2024, including a knockout defeat to Russian champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. Queensland’s Liam Paro also lost his IBF junior welterweight title last weekend to American Richardson Hitchens.
Despite the setback, Goodman’s camp remains optimistic about his future in the sport.
‘He’s still going to be great,’ Mitrevski said, also noting the importance of prioritising the fighter’s health.
No Limit Boxing has yet to confirm a new date for the fight, but Goodman is determined to regroup and reclaim his shot at the title.
For now, Australian boxing’s hopes turn to Jai Opetaia, who is scheduled to defend his IBF cruiserweight title on January 8 against Huseyin Cinkara on the Gold Coast.
Opetaia has been in dominant form, winning four fights since his breakthrough victory over Mairis Briedis, and will look to inspire a resurgence for Australian boxing in 2025.
