Cricket mad Sam Goodman preparing for historic boxing broadcast first

Before Sam Goodman turned to boxing full time, he spent his summers like many other Aussie kids – watching the cricket. Now, he gets to be a small part of the first Test.

Goodman faces off with Zhong Liu ahead of their super-bantamweight showdown on Friday. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Cricket-mad Sam Goodman will be part of a historic first.

His broadcast of his fight against Zhong Liu on Friday night will be simulcast on Fox Cricket immediately after the end of the second day’s play in the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.

Fox and No Limit have simulcast with Fox League and Fox Footy in the past but Goodman’s super-bantamweight showdown, which will also feature a domestic grudge match between Liam Wilson and Jackson England, will be the first time it has been done with cricket and boxing.

“I love my cricket and played a lot over the years, so it’s going to be awesome that it’s going from the cricket to my fight with a big audience,” Goodman said.

“I’m looking to put on a show and hopefully it drives a few cricket fans into boxing.”

Sam Goodman is on the verge of fighting for a world title. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Despite his love of the game, Goodman, who was a handy rugby league player before dedicating himself to boxing, said he was a very limited cricketer.

“Nah, I wasn’t too handy,” he said. “They used to call me The Phantom when I played cricket because I never rocked up to training.

“I played a bit of keeper and liked to call myself a batsman when I was younger.

“I’ve always liked batting and I try to get down to the nets with the boys and have a hit whenever I can.

“But, nah, I wasn’t too handy, I would always throw my wicket away.”

Goodman has been one of the busiest boxers in the country, fighting four times since March. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Boxing and footy have dominated most of Goodman’s life but the Albion Park local spent every summer glued to the TV watching some of the greats of the modern game.

“Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) was my idol growing up,” he said. “And being a keeper, I didn’t mind (Brad) Haddin, either.

“I just missed the real golden era but I saw a fair bit of Punter (Ricky Ponting) and loved watching him. Clarkey (Michael Clarke) too.

“Even this year, me and a mate are going down to the Boxing Day Test as well.

“I’ll celebrate this win on Friday by having Christmas with the family, then go down to Melbourne for the cricket.”

No Limit CEO George Rose with Goodman at Wednesday's press conference ahead of the fight. Picture: No Limit Boxing

No Limit CEO George Rose said the cricket-boxing crossover presented a huge opportunity for Goodman and Wilson.

“We’ve done it with league and AFL, now we’re doing it with the cricket,” Rose said.

“It’s what we’re all watching in the summer and it brings eyeballs that might not usually be watching boxing.

“You have Sam Goodman and Liam Wilson, two great Aussie boxers, who are both heading into big things in 2024.

“If they can impress the cricketing fans who are tuning in, that’s only good for us.

“It’s a bit of a treat for the cricket fans as well. You never know how the cricket’s going to be going but one thing I know is that the boxing will be all action.”

Goodman, 25, plans to watch the first day of the Test on Thursday afternoon after weighing in and “won’t blow up” if there happens to be a TV in his dressing room showing coverage of day two on Friday.

However, with a possible fight for a world title next year on the line, he knows he will have to be fully switched on for the fight.

“I’ll be focused on the job,” Goodman said. “Look at his resume, he’s ranked with the WBO so he’s there for a reason.

“I have taken world-class fights all year and he’s another one but I will show on fight night why I’m ranked No.1.”

Originally published as Cricket mad Sam Goodman preparing for historic boxing broadcast first