There will be no pre-Christmas cracker between undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and Sam Goodman after the challenger suffered a cut over his left eye in sparring. The clash of unbeaten fighters was due to take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on December 24.
Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) is a four-weight world champion and arguably the best fighter in the world today. The Japanese hero was expected to come through Goodman, defend his titles in Las Vegas in May, and then throw down against compatriot and fellow pound-for-pound entrant Junto Nakatani in late 2025.
Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is the IBF’s mandatory challenger. The Australian star has been pursuing Inoue for some time and called out the champ face-to-face following Inoue’s brutal destruction of Mexican puncher Luis Nery in May. The cut he sustained was a bitter pill to swallow.
🚨 #InoueGoodman postponed!
❌ Sam Goodman has sustained a cut in his final sparring session
🗓️ The undisputed fight with Naoya Inoue is now delayed to January 24th instead of Christmas Eve#boxraw pic.twitter.com/OQ0M0JgIlb
— BOXRAW (@BOXRAW) December 14, 2024
“I’m sorry to everyone who was coming over. I know how hard it was to make that decision to come and support me, especially at this time of year,” a forlorn Goodman told Jai McAllister Boxing and MMA.
“And I’m sorry to everyone over in Japan who was excited for this fight.
“I don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere. I want to fight this guy. This has been a 14-week camp, but it’s been the last 15 years of my life and everything I’ve ever done to get to this position.
“I want the opportunity to fight this guy for all the belts. Hopefully, we can get it on sooner rather than later when this cut heals.”
The Sporting News looks at the current state of play with his undisputed title fight.
When is Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman?
Just hours after Goodman revealed his injury, Inoue announced that he would face the Australian challenger on a new date.
“The title defense was scheduled for December 24th, just 10 days away, but had to be postponed due to an injury Goodman sustained during sparring,” said Inoue via a translated post on (X).
“I’m sorry to everyone who was looking forward to it. We hope you will come again on the new date!!!
“New date: Friday, January 24th at Ariake Arena. Let’s fight at our best.”
The event will be televised by ESPN+ in the U.S.
MORE: Naoya Inoue’s five greatest knockouts
Who is Sam Goodman?
Goodman hails from Albion Park, New South Wales in Australia. He has a record of 19-0 (8 KOs), which gives him a 42-percent knockout ratio.
During his formative years, Goodman had aspirations of representing his country at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, but he had over 100 fights in the unpaid ranks and won the Australian nationals at schoolboy level.
Turning professional six years ago, Goodman’s brain trust built him slowly and deliberately during the embryonic stages of his professional ascent. He graduated from eight rounders to 10 rounders in 2022.
Since upping the level of his competition, Goodman has scored quality wins over former champion TJ Doheny, the undefeated Ra’eese Aleem, and Miguel Flores.
The IBF’s mandatory challenger for over a year, he is coming off a dominant 12-round decision win over Thachtana Luangphon.
MORE: SN’s Top 12 best pound-for-pound boxers
Naoya Inoue record, stats, bio
- Nationality: Japanese
- Born: April 10, 1993
- Height: 5-5 ½
- Reach: 67 ½
- Total fights: 28
- Record: 28-0 (25 KOs)
Sam Goodman record, stats, bio
- Nationality: Australian
- Born: October 10, 1998
- Height: 5-6 ½
- Reach: 67 inches
- Total fights: 19
- Record: 19-0 with 8 wins via knockout
