Boxing 2026: Sam Goodman vs Ryosuke Nishida, IBF world title fight in Japan, interview with Australian, preview of fight

Sam Goodman insists he has finally left the nightmare of his two cancelled Naoya Inoue fights behind as he prepares to chase Australian boxing history in Japan.

Almost two years after cuts twice robbed him of the opportunity to face the Japanese superstar, Goodman will take on Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super-bantamweight title in Tokyo this weekend.

Goodman v Nishida | Sunday September 27 from 6pm AEST | Sam Goodman takes on Japan’s Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super bantamweight world title live from Tokyo on Kayo Sports.

Victory would not only complete Goodman’s lifelong pursuit of a world championship but also place the Albion Park star alongside the select group of Aussies who have travelled to Japan and returned home with boxing gold.

Lionel Rose famously defeated Fighting Harada in Tokyo in 1968, while Johnny Famechon successfully defended his featherweight crown against the Japanese icon two years later.

More recently, Andrew Moloney also achieved world-title success in Japan.

Goodman is well aware of the history he is chasing – but has no interest in allowing the disappointments of his past to dominate another fight week.

“I’m not too focused on the past at the moment,” Goodman told Fox Sports Australia.

“I’m looking at what’s next, and that’s where my mind’s at.”

That past includes the two devastating cuts which forced Goodman out of consecutive dates with Inoue and cost him the biggest opportunity – and payday – of his career.

When another world-title opportunity finally arrived against Nick Ball last year, Goodman again left empty-handed.

The Ghost pushed Ball through a far more competitive fight than the unanimous verdict suggested, with two surprisingly wide scorecards of 118-110 and 117-111.

While Goodman never gave up on becoming a world champ, the 27-year-old admitted the dream suddenly appeared much harder to grab.

“It felt like the dream got further away for a second, and there was a lot of work to be done,” he said.

“But I’m in this sport to become a world champion. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.

“It’s been full of ups and downs, but we’re almost here now and we’re ready to go.”

Goodman believes the painful setbacks helped mould him into the fighter who will step into the ring against Nishida.

“It’s just some of the trials you’ve got to go through,” he said.

“There’s a bit of adversity and it’s not always smooth sailing.

“It’s for sure shaped who I am and shaped me into the fighter I am.”

His team took precautions during camp to avoid a repeat of the sparring accidents which destroyed his Inoue opportunities.

But Goodman maintains there was little he could have done to prevent those freak injuries.

“When the last one happened, there wasn’t much you could do,” he said.

“We’re using headgear and stuff like that. We take our precautions.

“It was just a freaky thing that happened back then.”

Goodman has also dismissed any suggestion he has received a hostile reception from Japanese fans after being subjected to some online abuse following the collapse of the Inoue fights.

“It hasn’t been hostile – not at all,” he said.

“That’s social media in general. I don’t want to get negative and start going on about all that stuff.

“I’ve been received really well over here. Everyone has been really accommodating. They’re very nice people.”

Goodman has largely been confined to the gym and his hotel since arriving amid wet weather, although he managed to squeeze in a visit to the sumo wrestling on Tuesday.

Soon, however, his focus will turn entirely towards Nishida.

The Japanese southpaw previously held the IBF bantamweight title before moving up to super-bantamweight and has lost only once as a pro.

Goodman respects the threat posed by the hometown fighter but believes he holds advantages across the board.

“He’s a good southpaw,” Goodman said.

“He’s tricky, he’s got a good back hand and he’s a good boxer.

“But I do believe it is a good match-up for me. I’ve got no problem with southpaws, I’ve prepared extremely well and I think I’ve got more than enough to beat this guy.

“I think across the board, I’ve got enough to beat him. I think I’ve got many, many ways to win this one.”

Goodman identified his footwork as one of the keys to victory but insisted he is ready to adapt if Nishida presents him with something unexpected.

“Footwork is one of my biggest assets and it’s going to be one of the keys to winning this fight,” he said.

“But I’ve got it covered. There are many ways for me to win this fight.

“We’ve got a game plan, but if we have to adjust, we’re ready to adjust.

“I just know I’m going to get my hand raised.”

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Goodman will have a small but vocal group behind him, with about 30 supporters making the trip from Australia.

Yet it is the opportunity to follow some of the nation’s greatest fighters into the history books which provides the greater motivation.

“I’m well aware of our history and the fighters who have come before me and done the job over here,” Goodman said.

“I’m looking to do the same as guys like Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon.

“Andrew Moloney just won over here. It wasn’t against a Japanese boxer, but it was here in Japan.

“I’m looking to emulate what those guys have done and make myself a world champion.

“What better way to do it than over here? I’m excited.”