Undefeated Australian super-bantamweight Sam Goodman (18-0) has swerved undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (27-0) in favour of a tune-up bout with Thai fighter Thachtana Luangphon – known professionally as Chainoi ‘Rock Man’ Worawut (25-0-1).
Airing live on pay-per-view by way of No Limit Promotions, Goodman will be looking to compete in a bout many deem unnecessary; it was Goodman, after all, who entered the ring in the wake of Inoue’s destruction of Luis Nery (35-2) to call for the bout against the dangerous Japanese fighter.
However, Inoue may potentially be looking at a bout with TJ Doheny (26-4) instead, a fight that will appeal much more to a Japanese audience, but will be largely unwarranted for his legacy. Goodman seems to favour this, as it allows him to fight the lesser known but still rather threatening Worawut as a headline attraction in his home country instead.
Goodman, who has previously dispatched of Doheny by decision, as well as Ra’eese Aleem (20-1) and Fumiya Fuse (14-3), looks to expand his profile, as he is being pushed heavily by No Limit as one of their main fighters. Worawut was, for an extended length of time, the WBC Asian Super-Bantamweight champion and could pose a threat to the fresh-faced Aussie.
However, many will be disappointed at the lack of an Inoue bout. And, for many, the outcome will be clear; Goodman is the clear favourite entering the fight.
The co-main event features the return of Liam Wilson (13-3), who failed last time out in his efforts to win the WBO Interim World Super-Featherweight title against dangerous Mexican technician Oscar Valdez (32-2).
Here, Wilson will be moving up in weight as the rebuilding process begins, taking on local lightweight Youssef Dib (21-1). Relatively unknown and only holding belts at the national level, Dib will be up against the odds against the more experienced Wilson; although it will prove a test for both men, moving forward.
After all, a win against Wilson would elevate Dib to a much higher level, whilst Wilson will have to acclimatise to the new weight class.
The rest of the card proves to be a showcase of growing, rising stars; all primarily hailing from the local Australian scene.
The current Australian Super-Bantamweight champion Shanell Dargan (4-1-2) will be looking to thicken her resume with a win over Thailand’s Pannaporn Kaewpawong (4-1). Dargan seems to be promising, currently on a three fight winning streak after a shaky career start, whilst little can be assessed of her Thai foe; aside from the fact that, on Australian soil, she is currently 0-1, having lost to Skye Falzon (7-2) last time out.
An opponent once beaten by Dargan, New South Wales Bantamweight champion Amber Amelia (4-3) will also feature on the card in an attempt to bolster her record against Melbourne’s Connie Brown (2-0-1), who currently sits undefeated, with only a draw to stain her record.
Ultimately, with the disappointing choice of opponent, the highlight of the night may potentially come by way of the main event, with Wilson’s career rebuild threatened by the rise of Dib.
Weights
Sam Goodman 55.26kg v Chainoi Worawut 55.08kg
12 Rounds, Super Bantamweight
Barry Hall 106.28kg v Curtis Scott 94.04
6 Rounds, Heavyweight
Liam Wilson 61.18kg v Youssef Dib
10 Rounds, Lightweight
Mounir Fathi 69.92kg v Anton Markovic 69.70kg
6 Rounds, 70kg catchweight
Billy Polkinghorn 63.40kg v Jordan Kasilieris 64.02kg
5 Rounds, Catchweight
Brandon Grach 113.04kg v John Malia 110.78kg
6 Rounds, Heavyweight
Liam Talivaa 103.58kg v Johan Linde 103.86kg
6 Rounds, Heavyweight
Shanell Dargan 54.3kg v Pannaporn Kaewpawong 55.02kg
5 x 2 mins, Super bantamweight
Amber Amelia 53.36kg v Connie Brown 53.02kg
6 x 2 min rounds, bantamweight
Alessandro Grippa 70.52 v John Weetra 70.52,
4 Rounds, 71kg catchweight