Three Aussies can save Australian boxing in a month with world title wins

In just a month, three Aussie boxers can call themselves world champion and bring Australia to the top of the sport after Tim Tszyu’s loss.

Tim Tszyu may have lost his world title fight in devastating fashion, but three undefeated Aussies will take the mantle of Australian boxing in a trio of world title fights in the next month.

On Sunday in Puerto Rico, Liam Paro (25-0, 15KOs) will defend his IBF super lightweight world title against undefeated American Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7KOs).

Paro, 28, upset Montana Love a year ago and won the world title against Subriel Matias in June.

BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

The Queenslander is determined to maintain a “contender mindset” in his first title defence, which he’s expected to win.

“I just can’t wait to defend the throne and show why I’m at the top of this division,” Paro told news.com.au.

“I love fighting, I’m happiest when I’m fighting. I’ve always said I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. “This is the next guy on the hit list. I’m motivated to get the job done in dominating fashion.

“I always wanted that target on my back. These guys trying to take what I’ve worked my arse off for is motivating enough.

“At the end of the day, it’s to give me and my family a better life. Getting the belt, it helps a lot more.

“I want to be the king of this division with all the belts,” he said.

“I want to fight everyone, all the big names. I want to be the head honcho in this division. I’ll continue to take them out one by one, god willing.

Liam Paro is the IBF super lightweight world champion. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Paro has prepared for his most recent fights in Florida, but the Queenslander, who was raised in Mackay and trains in Brisbane, is keen to bring some blockbuster fights back to Australia.

‘There was talks of me and Devin Haney fighting a few times now. Ryan Garcia’s called me about before,” said Paro, who has recently invested in his major sponsor, Australian activewear and underwear company Step One.

“That’s all potential fights in the near future. I’ve got a job to do first then those doors will definitely open.”

Haney defeated George Kambosos Jr twice on Australian soil, and a fight between Paro and Kambosos could be on the cards for 2025.

It could be the biggest fight on Australian soil since Anthony Mundine fought Danny Green at the Sydney Football Stadium in 2006. If held in Paro’s native Queensland, it would be one of biggest fights there since Jeff Horn beat Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

“Next year there’s some talks to bring some massive fights back to Australia,” Paro said.

“That’s what it’s all about. I’ve been on the road for years, collecting belts and taking out big names.

“Not only myself but I think the Australian public and fight fans deserve fights back there. Very exciting times. I’m just glad I’m a part of it all.”

Liam Paro wants to bring a big fight back to Australia.(Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom.)

Sam Goodman vows to beat Japanese ‘monster’

If you look up the definition of an underdog, it should come up with Sam Goodman in his upcoming world title fight against Japan’s Naoya Inoue.

Nicknamed ‘The Monster’, undisputed super bantamweight champion Inoue will defend his belts his super bantamweight belts in a Christmas Eve fight against Goodman in Tokyo

Goodman (19-0, 11KOs) has long been wanting to fight Inoue (28-0, 25KOs) and after being the mandatory challenger for some time, the fight was finalised in October.

“I’ve sort of removed myself from the politics of the sport,” the 26-year-old told news.com.au. “My job’s to train, get in the best shape possible and win fights.

“I’m not excited by the opportunity. I’m excited about being a world champion. I’ve got to achieve that. I know the work that’s got to accomplish it.”

A Wollongong native who trains on the Central Coast, Goodman has been pushing his body to the brink in gruelling 14-hour days.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” he said.

“It’s going to be the longest camp I’ve ever done. “Yesterday I did four sessions — I was in the gym at 5am, didn’t really leave until about 7 at night. It’s a lot of work but what I need to do to become undisputed champion.”

Naoya Inoue fights Australia's Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve.

Inoue is a knockout machine and it would be one of the biggest upsets in boxing history if Goodman beat the Japanese megastar on his home turf.

He is dead serious when he says he sees himself beating Inoue and becoming world champion.

“I’m not going in there to last. I’m going in there to win. There’s nothing about lasting, you can get rid of that. It’s about winning. That’s where my head’s at,” Goodman said.

“It’s the biggest challenge I’ve faced, no doubt, but I know I’m going to be the biggest challenge he’s faced.

“I’m putting in some work with some heavy punchers and I know the levels I’m at. I think “I’m the best he’s ever been in there with and vice versa. We’ll see who comes out on top. I know it will be me.

“I wouldn’t do this fight if I would I’m 100 per cent getting knocked out. My head’s not thinking ‘can I take his punches’. I know I can, I know I’ll be fine. I’m not worried about any of that stuff. I’m worried about winning.

“I think there’s a few ways I can win the fight. I’m not going to come out and make a prediction. But I truly believe, I’ve seen this picture in my head so clear that I get my hand raised at the end of that fight.

“I’ve heard the Japanese crowd and they’re not that rowdy. They’re really respectful people.”

Sam Goodman wants to cause a massive boxing upset. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Goodman is paying as much $11 to win with some bookies, with Inoue at $1.05, and even some of the Aussie’s mates, nicknamed the ‘Mad Bunch’, are hoping Goodman can pull off an upset for them.

“I’ve been sent a heap of stuff but I think they need a few more bookies to take them on,” Goodman chuckled.

“They’re already starting to restrict bets. All that stuff is a laugh and it’s cool to have that sort of support.

“I’ve got a heap of them coming over to Japan. That’s pretty awesome to have people sacrifice time with their family to come and support me, that’s cool as.

“All this stuff about being the underdog or being at massive odds, I haven’t really thought about it.

“I don’t listen to what people write or say. If I did, I would have attempted nothing. I’m not listening to anything external.”

“It would mean everything,” Goodman said of the chance to become undisputed champion in the four-belt era.

“And to be the first Australian to do it is massive. I’ve dreamt of being world champion and undisputed since I got into the sport. I want all the belts, all the marbles.”

Opetaia makes Aussie return to site of broken jaw miracle

Out of the three Aussies fighting in the next month, Jai Opetaia might me the boxer with the most bona fide superstar credentials.

The 29-year-old has been on an absolute tear since he beat Mairis Briedis and fought through a broken jaw to win the IBF cruiserweight belt.

Opetaia (26-0, 20KOs) has won four fights since then, including three in Saudi Arabia, and will return to the Gold Coast on January 8 to fight Huseyin Cinkara.

Recognised worldwide for his punching power, Opetaia has even been called out by Mexico’s Gilberto Ramírez, who holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts.

A fight between Opetaia and Oleksandr Usyk would be epic if the Ukrainian comes back down to cruiserweight following his heavyweight rematch against Tyson Fury.

Jai Opetaia is the IBF cruiserweight world champion. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

If all goes well in the next month, Opetaia and Paro will defend their belts, Goodman will join them as world champion and Tim Tszyu’s shock loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in October won’t seem quite as bad.

“Australian boxing is booming and I think it’s at an all time high,” Paro said.

“To be at the top and leading the way with those other big names in Australia is a very humbling feeling. It’s good to see Australian boxing doing so well.”

“It was just sad to not see an Aussie get the win,” Goodman said, who is part of the No Limit stable that also promotes Tszyu.

“I was gutted for Timmy but that’s sport at the end of the day. You take your licks when you have to. I’m sure he’ll be back and he’ll be world champion again.”