Unfortunate news this morning, the undisputed junior featherweight title showdown between Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue and Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve has sadly been postponed.
The Australian suffered a deep laceration over his left eye during one of his final sparring sessions before flying out to Tokyo – both Goodman and ‘Monster’ have now addressed the delay to their title showdown.
Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue reacts to Christmas Eve title fight being postponed
During a frenzied few hours earlier this morning, it was reported that Sam Goodman had suffered a nasty cut in sparring, just a few days before his highly anticipated showdown with Naoya Inoue in Tokyo, Japan.
It was then reported that Inoue was looking for a new opponent, before confirmation from the ‘Monster’ himself that the undisputed title fight with Goodman will now go ahead on Friday, January 24, 2025.
“The title defense was scheduled for December 24th, just 10 days away, but had to be postponed due to an injury Goodman sustained during sparring,” wrote Inoue on X.
“I’m sorry to everyone who was looking forward to it… We hope you will come again on the new dates!!! New date: Friday, January 24th at Ariake Arena Let’s fight at our best!”
According to ESPN Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger, the event will still be broadcast on ESPN+ on the morning of January 24.
Sam Goodman reacts to sparring injury as new date vs Inoue confirmed
Just a few minutes before Naoya Inoue confirmed that the title fight wouldn’t be canceled, and instead moved to a later date, an emotional Sam Goodman would issue a statement via his Instagram page.
“Hey everyone, I just wanted to let everyone know what’s sort of happened this morning. I was having my last spar before we flew out to Tokyo and by a freak accident, got cut, [and] needed four stitches.
“If I had it my way, I’d like to proceed with the fight but taking on a guy like this, my team won’t let me go into this fight compromised. Absolutely devastated to be doing this, but it is what it is.”
Goodman might be perfect as a professional boxer, with a 19-0 record and eight wins coming by way of KO/TKO, but he was still the sizable underdog to Inoue, having never fought outside Australia before.
“I just want to say sorry to everyone who was coming over, I know how hard it was to make that decision, especially at this time of year.
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“I’m sorry to everyone over in Japan who was excited for this fight, and to Inoue and his team as well. I know they’ve been preparing hard for a good fight and look; I just don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere I want to fight this guy.
“I want the chance to have a crack against him for those belts, so hopefully we can get it on sooner rather than later just as soon as this cut heals up.”
Naoya Inoue vs Sam Goodman is now scheduled for Friday, January 24, 2025.
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