Sam Goodman wins interim IBF title in Japan

Australian boxer Sam Goodman won the interim IBF super-bantamweight world title by defeating Ryosuke Nishida via unanimous decision at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. The judges scored the bout 116-110, 115-109, and 114-111 in favor of Goodman.

In a high-paced contest, Goodman utilized aggressive volume punching and body work to overcome the local favorite. The match included a chaotic eighth round where referee Deon Duarte deducted points from both fighters. Despite facing adversity and pressure from Nishida, Goodman maintained his composure through the championship rounds to secure the victory.

With this win, Goodman moves to a professional record of 24-1. The victory sets the stage for a potential showdown with undisputed champion Naoya Inoue, a matchup Goodman has pursued for nearly two years following previous withdrawals due to training injuries.