Sam Goodman

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Sam Goodman, born on October 10, 1998, in Sydney, Australia, showed an early affinity for boxing. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, he was introduced to the sport at a young age. His father, a former amateur boxer, played a significant role in nurturing his interest and talent. By the time Goodman was ten, he had already begun training at a local boxing gym, quickly demonstrating a natural aptitude for the sport.

 

Goodman’s amateur career took off in his teenage years. In 2013, at just 14 years old, he competed in his first major tournament, the Australian Junior National Championships. His impressive performance earned him a silver medal, marking the beginning of a promising career. Over the next few years, Goodman continued to hone his skills, participating in numerous national and international competitions.

 

One of the standout moments of Goodman’s amateur career came in 2016 when he won the Australian Youth National Championships in the bantamweight division. This victory not only cemented his status as one of the country’s top young prospects but also earned him a spot on the Australian national team. Representing Australia, Goodman competed in the 2016 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships held in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Although he did not medal, his performances against some of the world’s best young boxers were commendable and garnered significant attention.

 

In 2017, Goodman further solidified his reputation by winning the gold medal at the Oceania Confederation Boxing Championships. This achievement was particularly significant as it qualified him for the 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Hamburg, Germany. Competing against seasoned international opponents, Goodman showcased his resilience and skill, advancing to the quarterfinals.

 

Professional Career

 

Goodman’s professional debut came on April 13, 2018, against Worawatchai Boonjan at the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club in Cronulla. Goodman won the bout via a second-round TKO, signaling the start of a promising career. He followed this up with a unanimous decision victory over Richard Lockett on August 19, 2018, at K Ranch Arena, Mt Hunter, showcasing his technical prowess across eight rounds. Goodman continued his winning streak with a series of victories, including a unanimous decision win against Shamal Ram Anuj on October 27, 2018, at Taren Point Bowling Club, and another against Simplice Fotsala on March 29, 2019, at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow. His dominant performance against Claudevan Sese on July 27, 2019, at Luna Park, Sydney, ended with a third-round TKO, further cementing his reputation.

 

A pivotal moment in Goodman’s career came on May 11, 2022, when he faced Fumiya Fuse at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Broadmeadow. Despite being knocked down in the third round, Goodman recovered to win by unanimous decision, claiming the vacant IBF Inter-Continental Super Bantam and WBO Oriental Super Bantam titles. This victory highlighted his resilience and determination. Goodman successfully defended his titles on multiple occasions. On July 20, 2022, he defeated Juan Miguel Elorde via an eighth-round TKO at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. He continued his streak with a unanimous decision win against Jason Cooper on October 8, 2022, in Newcastle, and a dominant performance against TJ Doheny on March 12, 2023, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, where he won by unanimous decision.

 

In one of the most notable fights of his career, Goodman faced Ra’eese Aleem on June 18, 2023, at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach. In a closely contested bout, Goodman emerged victorious by split decision, enhancing his status on the international stage. He followed this with a unanimous decision win over Miguel Flores on October 15, 2023, and another against Zhong Liu on December 15, 2023, both showcasing his superior boxing skills and tactical acumen. Goodman’s most recent bout took place on March 13, 2024, against Mark Schleibs at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong. Goodman secured a fourth-round TKO victory, continuing his impressive run and further solidifying his reputation as one of the top fighters in his division.