IBF/WBO #1 Featherweight Sam Goodman and Liam Wilson Victorious in Sydney

Sam Goodman, ranked #1 at 126 pounds by the IBF and the WBO, moved closer to a mega-fight with Naoya Inoue with a one-sided, 12-round decision over Chinese import Zhong Liu tonight in Sydney, Australia. In the co-feature, Liam Wilson scored a 10-round decision over Jackson Jon England and then expressed an interest in fighting countryman George Kambosos.

Goodman, who hails from Albion Park, NSW (about an hour south of Sydney), improved to 17-0 (7) with a near-shutout over his undefeated (18-0) but obscure opponent who missed all of 2021 and 2022 because of the Covid epidemic and was making his first start outside China. The judges had it 120-108, 119-109, and 118-111. With the victory, Goodman is in line to fight the winner of the Dec. 26 fight in Tokyo between Inoue and Marlon Tapales. “The Monster” is a massive favorite.

Goodman has been a busy fellow. This was his fourth fight in 2023. In June he scored his signature win, a 12-round split decision over previously undefeated Ra’eese Aleem. Two months ago, he turned away Tex-Mex campaigner Miguel Flores with ease, winning every round on two of the scorecards. He isn’t a big puncher, however. Each of his last five fights has gone the distance. Goodman is promoted by the three Rose brothers who also handle the ring affairs of the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita.

Co-Feature

In his second fight back after suffering a controversial stoppage at the hands of long-reigning WBO 130-pound champion Emmanuel Navarrete, Liam Wilson scored a 10-round unanimous decision over countryman Jackson Jon England. Wilson, 13-2 (7 KOs) has a mighty left hook, but the rugged England, a third-generation prizefighter currently residing in Perth, stayed the course and had several bright moments. The scores were 97-93 and 96-94 twice. England, who has never been stopped, falls to 12-3.

Liam Wilson

In his post-fight interview, Wilson expressed an interest in moving up in weight to fight George Kambosos Jr who is reportedly in negotiations to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko in Australia. It’s also speculated that Wilson may fight the winner of the Feb. 16 match at Madison Square Garden between WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster and Abraham Nova.

Also

In a mild upset, lightweight Ibrahim Balla saddled Youssef Dib with his first pro loss, winning a 10-round majority decision. The scores were all over the map: 100-90, 97-93, and 95-95.

Born in Australia to Albanian immigrants, Balla (16-2) represented Australia in the 2012 Olympics and was 4-0 vs Jason Moloney in the amateurs. Dib (20-1) is the younger brother of Billy Dib who briefly held a version of the world featherweight title.

Photo credits: Gregg Porteous / No Limit Boxing

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