Zac Lomax’s bold Goodman-Schleibs prediction as world title blockbuster looms

Dragons star Zac Lomax is backing Sam Goodman to settle his bitter rivalry with Mark Schleibs in devastating fashion on Wednesday, before booking a multimillion-dollar world title fight.

Dragons star Zac Lomax separates bitter rivals Mark Schleibs (L) and Sam Goodman (R) ahead of their pay-per-view showdown on Wednesday. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Zac Lomax is backing Sam Goodman to settle his bitter rivalry with Mark Schleibs in devastating fashion on Wednesday night, before booking a multimillion-dollar world title fight later this year.

The Dragons star will be ringside for Goodman’s pay-per-view headliner in Wollongong, where a win for the local hero could lock in a fight against Japanese knockout artist Naoya Inoue.

Goodman v Schleibs & Hardman v Saavedra | WED 13 MAR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

“I’m backing Sammy to get the stoppage in round five or six,” Lomax said of Goodman’s clash with Schleibs.

“His last few fights have been super impressive, he has a massive fanbase here and he’ll sell out the stadium. I can’t wait.”

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan this week knocked back Lomax’s request to join Parramatta.

It means the star back could still be wearing the Red V if Goodman lands a fight against Inoue at WIN Stadium later in the year.

“As a Dragons player, there’s nowhere better to play when it’s packed out,” he said. “Sammy brings a massive fan base here to the Illawarra.

“Alex Volkanovski has been massive for combat sports and to bring someone of the calibre of Inoue here would be unbelievable for the community. He’s a special talent.”

Lomax is tipping Goodman to score a knockout. Picture: No Limit Boxing

A boxing tragic, Lomax scored a try in a standout performance in the Dragons’ demolition of the Titans on Saturday and is a regular at fights in Sydney.

He even cornered a mate on a PPV card in 2021 and singled out Blake Lawry as the best boxer at the Dragons.

“He throws them all right,” he said of the front-rower. “Jack Bird, he’s heavy handed. Kyle (Flanagan) likes to think of himself as a bit of a boxer, too, but he should just stick to footy.”

“Kyle likes to think of himself as a bit of a boxer too, but he should just stick to footy.” Picture: No Limit Boxing

There were last-minute fireworks at the weigh-ins on Tuesday when a fired-up Schleibs shoved Goodman in the chest on the stage after they had both made weight.

Goodman, who slapped Schleibs in the face at a press conference a month ago, laughed off the push and called it a desperate attempt to remain relevant.

“Straight afterwards, he was scurrying behind his team,” Goodman said.

“He can’t hide behind his team tomorrow night, though. He dreads the fighting.

“He likes the bright lights and cameras but out of everything to do with the fight business, he dreads the fighting.”

Schleibs shoves Goodman at Tuesday’s weigh-ins. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Goodman doesn’t feel any extra pressure knowing a decisive win could lure Inoue to Australia later in the year.

He said a win over “The Monster” would be a bigger upset than Jeff Horn’s victory over Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

“I think in terms of difficulty and achievement it’s right up there,” he said. “In all fairness, Pacquiao was a little bit on the slide when Horn did catch him.

“I would be fighting a guy at the top of the pound-for-pound list that no one thinks I can beat.

“Pulling that off, it would have to be one of the biggest wins in Australian boxing history.”

A fight with the 26-0 Inoue is one of the toughest tasks in professional boxing.

The Japanese knockout artist has a string of devastating stoppage defeats that strike fear into fighters from flyweight to featherweight.

Inoue has 23 knockout wins in his 26 fights. Picture: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

However, Goodman said Inoue knew he was coming and he had the tools to beat him.

“My shot has to come this year, I have to get my crack at the belts,” said Goodman, who has been in world-title contention for a year.

“He’ll know of me and he knows it’s a fight that will pop up.

“I think I could have beaten all the guys he’s beaten as well. I know he has destructive power and you have to be on from the moment you go, and you can’t give him an inch.

“But I back my boxing brain. I know how to figure out fighters and how to impose my will.”

Schleibs, who has been given extra security in Wollongong this week, said Goodman was disrespecting him by already looking towards a fight with Inoue.

“He can disrespect me all he wants, he still has to get it done,” Schleibs said. “I believe in myself, that’s why I’m in this position.

“He talks about the guys I’ve fought but they are Aussie fighters he would never fight because he’s a wimp.

“He looks like a zombie right now. He’s a dead man walking.”

Originally published as Zac Lomax’s bold Goodman-Schleibs prediction as world title blockbuster looms