Goodman to channel memories of Liam Paro’s world title upset as he prepares for Inoue

Sam Goodman wants to join Liam Paro in earning one of Australian boxing’s greatest world title upsets, taking his fellow Aussie’s underdog victory as inspiration.

Sam Goodman will use Liam Paro’s phenomenal upset win over Subriel Matias as inspiration as he plots a path towards his own world title blockbuster with Naoya Inoue later this year.

Goodman risks his number one contender status on Wednesday when he fights dangerous Thai puncher Chainoi ‘Rock Man’ Worawut in Wollongong. A win will propel the Albion Park local into a blockbuster undisputed super-bantamweight world title fight in December.

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Goodman will enter that fight as a massive underdog against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, but says Paro’s super-lightweight world title triumph over Matias last month proved it can be done.

“It was awesome to watch another Aussie go over and get the rewards they deserve,” Goodman told this masthead. “He showed plenty of character, and he showed you can go over there and do it.

“Everyone is gonna write you off and say it can’t be done and this and that, but it just goes to show if you believe in yourself, if you put in the work, and do all the right things, then everything’s possible.

“Any man can be beaten on any given day.”

Liam Paro (L) scored a massive upset in beating Subriel Matias last month. Picture: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom

Goodman is training partners and mates with one of Paro’s main sparring partners, Jason Fawcett, and says he’s done plenty of work with Paro as well.

“I’ve done a few sparring sessions and I know him and his team very well,” he said. “I actually went up and coached Jason in one of his sparring sessions in Queensland before they took off, so it’s a very good camp and I’ve got a lot of respect for them.”

Paro was paying as much as $5.70 against Matias, and Goodman knows he’ll likely be at even greater odds against Inoue.

But Goodman – who is ranked number one with the WBO and IBF – is a keen punter and is risking his shot at Inoue’s titles when he faces Worawut this week.

But Inoue remains the end goal.

“I have the confidence that I can beat any man on any given day,” he said. “Everything I’ve done this year is geared towards me becoming undisputed world champion.

“There’s not going to be any taking the foot off the gas, and the preparation for Inoue starts the day after I win this fight.

“It’s about winning this one well against a guy who’s highly rated and who’s undefeated and is a tough challenge.”

Everything Goodman does is geared towards winning a world title. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Worawut, who landed in Australia late last week, comes from a fighting family. He followed his father and uncle into the prized ring, and says he’s planning on stealing Goodman’s shot at a world title on Wednesday.

“Yes, I have the same goal and dream to face the champion and beat him,” Worawut said. “It would be amazing.

“Goodman and I share that dream, that we will become the champion and make the county proud and make my people proud.

“He has the risk of fighting me, I’ve been preparing myself. I have the intention of fighting Inoue one day too.

“My fans know my punch is that strong that I can end the fight.

“It’s normal to feel nervous, but I’ll fight with a free spirit, be myself and take it round-by-round.”

Originally published as Goodman to channel memories of Liam Paro’s world title upset as he prepares for Inoue