Sam ‘The Ghost’ Goodman is something of a rarity in modern boxing: a top-rated contender prepared to stay active even while risking a guaranteed shot at a world title.

Most ghosts don’t like to be seen. This one has been spotted everywhere in 2023, boxing three times already with a fourth outing planned for this Friday, December 15 (December 16 in Australia), when he takes on undefeated Chinese southpaw Zhong Liu at The Star in Sydney.

It will be Goodman’s first time headlining a nationally televised card with the show set to be broadcast domestically on local cable provider Foxtel and their streaming arm Kayo.

There is a lot at stake for the 25-year-old Australian, who is ranked No. 1 by both the IBF and the WBO. A loss will see him lose his right to challenge the winner of the upcoming unification bout between WBC and WBO champion Naoya Inoue and his WBA and IBF counterpart Marlon Tapales at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on December 26.

But losing isn’t an option for Goodman (16-0, 7 KOs), who sees activity as the key to his breakout year in 2023.

“I like to stay active as it is, but really, it’s purely about opportunity,” Goodman told The Ring. “I’m getting to headline my first show on TV and build my brand. I’m always in the gym and always keeping sharp, so look, why not have a fight? I back myself against anyone and I know I’ll get the job done again.

“I don’t see it as a risk, I see it as another opportunity to showcase what I do and to continue to improve and build my brand.” 

It comes as no surprise that with such a busy schedule, Goodman is barely out of the gym. After a fight he will avoid hitting the bags or sparring for a week while continuing to do strength and conditioning work before heading right back into camp.

“It’s just been no breaks, it’s never ending for me,” said Goodman of his run this year. “It’s not just one 12-week camp, this is just the cycle that I live in. Every day is hard work and I don’t shy away from that. I know there are times where I probably should be taking rests and stuff, but to be honest this year I haven’t had the chance to really do that, to take the foot off the pedal.” 

Goodman’s activity has paid dividends. He burst into The Ring’s rankings with his 10-round unanimous decision win over former IBF titleholder TJ Doheny in March and consolidated his credentials with a 12-round split decision victory over previously undefeated Ra’eese Aleeem in June. Goodman then pitched a virtual shutout against Miguel Flores in their 12-rounder in October.

Goodman became a junior featherweight contender after defeating Aleem. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

All three bouts took place on televised undercards of fights featuring current WBO 154-pound titleholder and Ring Magazine’s No. 1-rated Tim Tszyu, giving him great exposure to both a local and international audience.

The bout with Lui (19-0, 7 KOs) will be Goodman’s eighth fight in a two-year period.

“Doheny and Aleem were massive scalps and they’re the sort of names I’m after, big names like that,” said Goodman, who is sitting pretty in The Ring’s 122-pound rankings at No. 6.

“I probably didn’t get my just dues in the TJ fight. A lot of people thought he was over the hill or that I was getting him at the right time, and then he went ‘bang-bang’, winning his last two fights by knockout. It shows the level I’m on and it shows that he’s obviously not done yet. It’s a fight I’m probably getting a bit of credit for now a bit later on down the track, but it is what it is. 

Goodman engages veteran TJ Doheny in a staredown. Photo: No Limit Boxing

“The Ra’eese Aleem fight was another good one. A pretty avoided fighter, not many wanted to take him on and we were happy to meet the challenge. I believe that given the opponent, that was probably my best performance to date.” 

Not much is known about Goodman’s next opponent Liu outside of his native China, where the 32-year-old from Changsha in the Hunan province has boxed his entire eight-year pro career. There are no names that jump off his resume, with his last outing being a seventh-round stoppage of India’s Saurabh Kumar back in September.

What we do know about him is that he’s a southpaw. And what we know about Goodman is that he eats up lefties like part of a complete breakfast.

“We’ve seen bits and pieces of him, we know he’s ranked now in the WBO so he’s got that ranking and he’s a credible opponent, another undefeated opponent and he’s a southpaw,” said Goodman, who has already defeated five southpaws to date.  

“It will be the first time I’ve fought a southpaw since TJ obviously. At this level there’s a fair few of them that are around, so it’s good to get in the ring with another southpaw and get that ring time with him. But I’ll be looking to get him out of there as quick as I can and hopefully do a job on him. 

“He looks like he’s got some skills and he’s got some strings to his bow, but it’s nothing I think I can’t deal with.”

All things going to plan, Goodman appears to be on track for a shot at a sanctioning body world title at some stage next year. He sees only one winner in the upcoming Inoue-Tapales matchup and says he would relish the opportunity to test his skills against one of the best little men of the modern era.

Goodman is focused on his next opponent but his goal is to eventually challenge the winner of the Naoya Inoue-Marlon Tapales showdown later this month. (Photo: No Limit Boxing)

“I can only see it going one way. I think Inoue steamrolls him to be honest, gets it done inside six rounds,” Goodman said.

“Inoue is a very polished fighter and I’m not so much looking at chinks in his armor, but I’ll back everything I can do to beat him. That’s the same with anyone I face. I know I’ve got a great boxing brain, a great ring IQ and I think I can not only frustrate opponents, but really impose my style onto them. If I get the opportunity to fight Inoue or any of the big names, that’s what I’ll look to do.” 

If Goodman comes through the Liu bout unscathed as expected, he will likely get the chance to support Tszyu again in the first defense of his WBO strap in Las Vegas in March next near.

But Goodman says he is not getting ahead of himself.

“Look, it’s all speculation and there’s a bit of hype around it,” he said. “It would be a great event to be a part of and something I would be keen on doing. But first and foremost, I’m not looking past the guy I’ve got in front of me on December 16.

 “I’m pretty happy with this year, but I’m not done yet.”

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