Promoter of Sam Goodman to fly to the Carribean, with an attempt to lock in blockbuster for Aussie fans

Naoya Inoue is arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet. And he could be fighting in Australia later this year.

Naoya Inoue (R) annihilated Luis Nery in Tokyo on Monday night. Picture: Kyodo News via Getty Images

Sam Goodman’s promoter, No Limit’s George Rose, will jet off to the IBF convention in Puerto Rico this week in an attempt to lock in an undisputed world title blockbuster against Naoya Inoue in Australia later this year.

Goodman is Inoue’s IBF mandatory and confronted the Japanese superstar in the ring moments after ‘The Monster’s’ stunning sixth round knockout win over Luis Nery on Monday night.

“I’ve been mandatory for over a year,” Goodman told undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Inoue. “Either give up the belts or fight me.”

Could this really be happening? 🤯 @samgoodman58 and Naoya Inoue shape up a potential super-fight in September post #InoueNery

📺 @trboxing#nolimitboxingpic.twitter.com/5IVhSfYC6W

— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) May 7, 2024

Inoue’s promoter, Bob Arum, confirmed Goodman is next in line for a shot at all the belts, with Rose travelling to the IBF convention in Puerto Rico hoping to get the fight confirmed this week.

“We’re going to be really pushing the case for Sam’s mandatory to be enforced for the Inoue fight,” Rose told this masthead before flying out. “Inoue’s the biggest drawcard in the lower weights.

“There’s nobody else around those weights who can draw the way he can, so he’s the guy everyone wants.

“It’s the same as everyone wanting that Canelo fight. Everyone wants their shot, but Sam’s fought his way into a mandatory position.

“He’s done everything right in the ring and is preparing for the fight as best as he can.”

Inoue (R) obliterated Luis Nery on Monday. Picture: Kyodo News via Getty Images

Goodman has been calling for a fight with Inoue for well over a year, and says he wants to host it at WIN Stadium in his hometown of Wollongong.

Inoue sits alongside Canelo and Terence Crawford as one of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings and holds all the power, but Rose confirmed he will push for the fight to be held in Australia.

“Any time we can bring big fights to Australia, we’ll do it,” Rose said. “We put on great shows in Australia, and they’re shows people across the globe are really impressed by.

Goodman most recently knocked out Mark Schleibs in Wollongong. Picture: No Limit Boxing

“A fight with Inoue is huge, and it’s a very expensive exercise. When you’ve got 55,000 people, it’s hard to pull him away from that home ground advantage, but we’ll still have a crack.

“Inoue’s got such a big support base, and the trip from Australia to Japan is very easy, there’s not much of a time difference, so his Japanese supporters can come down and watch.”

Goodman sat ringside as Inoue overcame an early scare against Nery in front of 55,000 people at the Tokyo Dome on Monday night.

The undefeated Inoue was knocked down for the first time in his career in the opening round, but dropped Nery in the second and fifth en route to another masterful performance.

@samgoodman58 reacts to THAT Naoya Inoue performance 😳 Could we see the Australian challenge the Monster next? #nolimitboxing#InoueNerypic.twitter.com/wUTNZJBD5V

— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) May 6, 2024

But, Goodman says he saw holes.

“Look, I’ve seen enough in the fight to know I can do what I need to do to win that fight,” Goodman told Main Event’s Ben Damon immediately after the bout.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me. It’s something very exciting and I’ve been saying it for how long, I want world titles

“He’s got them all, I’ve got to fight him. I’ve got to box my best, but I believe if I do it, I can beat this man.

“At any given moment, anyone can beat anyone.

“I’ve seen plenty in there to show I can really push him, not just push him but beat him.”

Originally published as Promoter of Sam Goodman to fly to the Carribean, with an attempt to lock in blockbuster for Aussie fans