WOLLONGONG fighter Sam Goodman is confident he's on the path to a world title after inking a deal with the promotional company that has overseen the meteoric rise of the sport's biggest domestic star Tim Tszyu.
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Goodman, 9-0 as a pro, will become a promotional stablemate of Tszyu after inking a multi-year deal with No Limit Boxing.
He'll make his debut for the company of brothers Matt and George Rose on the undercard to Paul Gallen's showdown with Manly enforcer Josh Aloiai on December 10.
Having seen the platform Tszyu has provided for a re-invigoration of the domestic scene, Goodman says it's the perfect move at a key stage of his career.
"Hopefully it's the start of a long and good relationship," Goodman said.
"Their shows are unparalleled, they're the biggest shows in the country.
"Tim's brought some massive nights here so if we can get on the back of that and [headline] ourselves eventually, that's the goal.
"It was a no-brainer really. It's straight into big fights and that's what I was looking for. I want to start with a bang and I'm really looking forward to it."
The fight in Newcastle will be the second time Goodman's featured on a Gallen undercard, having earned an impressive TKO win over the durable Nort Beauchamp before the former NSW Origin skipper's showdown with Justis Huni in June.
It was his fourth stoppage victory in his last five outings.
"If you're in this game you want to be on the big stage and getting seen by the masses," Goodman said.
"Paul Gallen brings that. Anyone who disregards him as a fighter, they're just bitter to be honest.
"He's done massive things for the sport and given people like myself a massive platform to build our own audience.
"You've got to be grateful for blokes like that for putting their hand up to do that but, as far performances go, it doesn't matter if I'm fighting in front of three people or three thousand.
"I don't give a bollocks. I get in there and I'm there to take someone's head off. That's what I'm about and I'm always looking to do that.''
An opponent for the December 10 bout will be finalised imminently, with a regional strap the likely carrot.
It will be his third outing in a calendar year, a solid campaign amid the COVID pandemic that's even seen him jump three divisions above his preferred super-bantamweight to beat Daniel Carr at lightweight.
Good judges are confident he can follow the likes of regular sparring partners Andrew and Jason Moloney into the world title frame in the lighter weight classes.
"I've been in the gym the whole time so [COVID's] all irrelevant, I'm doing all the right things," Goodman said.
"Now's the time to start making moves and getting those big fights against quality opposition. It's a 10-rounder and they're not doing that for no belts, so I'm confident it'll be a regional title.
"It's just about racking those up and getting through the rankings. It takes a while to bust in there, I'm not world ranked yet with an organisation and it can take a bit to get through them.
"A world title is probably a few of years away but we're looking to work through the rankings pretty quickly."
Crucially, he's determined to make Wollongong the epicentre of the push, with plans for the 23-year-old to headline major cards at the WIN Entertainment Centre, the venue having hosted Gallen's stunning first-round KO win over former world titleist Lucas Browne in April this year.
It bodes well for the famous 'mad bunch' that have followed his previous fights.
"I want to fight for a world title in Wollongong one day and we're going to tear the roof off the place when we do fight there," Goodman said.
"I know [No Limit] are keen to put a show on there for me next year and I'm always super keen to fight down home. It's where I'm from, it's where all my friends and family are.
"It's not just about having good fights, it's about having a good night and everyone enjoying themselves. That's what our crowd is pretty good at doing.
"We want to rip the roof off the place and fight in Wollongong as many times as we can. We want to make that my hub and fight out of there as often as possible."
There'll be one non-negotiable - the Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles colours on his trunks.
"I'll be in Park colours for sure," he said.
"You've always got to rep the 2527."
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Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
