Sam Goodman vs Ryosuke Nishida: Battle for IBF Interim World Title in Tokyo
- Australian boxer Sam Goodman steps into the ring in Tokyo on Sunday, September 27, facing Japan’s Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super bantamweight world title.
- Altamura has worked with Nishida since the Japanese fighter’s second professional bout and serves as the international matchmaker for Muto Boxing Gym.
- Altamura brings rare familiarity to the opposite corner, having managed Irishman TJ Doheny throughout his career—including Doheny’s 2023 loss to Goodman.
Australian boxer Sam Goodman steps into the ring in Tokyo on Sunday, September 27, facing Japan’s Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super bantamweight world title. The bout, broadcast live on Kayo Sports starting at 6 p.m. AEST, brings together two figures from opposing camps with a surprisingly tight connection behind the scenes, according to Australian boxing manager and matchmaker Mike Altamura.
A Split Corner in Tokyo
Altamura has worked with Nishida since the Japanese fighter’s second professional bout and serves as the international matchmaker for Muto Boxing Gym. At the same time, Altamura shares a 20-year friendship with Goodman’s manager, Peter Mitrevski. Despite the cross-border collision at the elite level, Altamura feels no conflict of interest about the matchup.
As Altamura told Fox Sports Australia, Goodman joked about their temporary communications blackout leading up to the bell. He’s refused to talk to me for the last couple of months, but he said that on September 28 we’ll be friends again,
Altamura said. So that’s great. Hopefully we don’t bring him too much misery on September 27.
Weighing Up Footwork and Power
Altamura brings rare familiarity to the opposite corner, having managed Irishman TJ Doheny throughout his career—including Doheny’s 2023 loss to Goodman. That night left a strong impression regarding Goodman’s movement. His in-and-out movement was ultra effective and very hard to time and very hard to catch at that point in his career,
Altamura noted.
While Andrew Moloney points to Goodman’s footwork and speed as potential advantages, Altamura suggests Nishida possesses the necessary tools to neutralize that speed, provided he stays disciplined. At the same time, Altamura warns that Goodman carries unexpected physical strength for an Albion Park fighter who is equally comfortable engaging in a tear-up.
Stakes at Super Bantamweight
Nishida enters the fight holding an 11-1 record with two knockouts, but Altamura cautions against underestimating the southpaw’s power. Having previously cut heavily from around 150 pounds to 118 pounds to make bantamweight, Nishida benefits significantly from the extra four pounds allowed at super bantamweight, where Altamura argues he can utilize his strength more effectively. Goodman approaches the interim title fight after two previous delays due to cuts ahead of proposed bouts involving Naoya Inoue. Altamura suggests the winner’s prize may extend beyond the interim belt if Inoue moves on to other divisions, potentially leaving the victor elevated to full champion status. For now, Goodman faces a formidable test against a Japanese star backed by a familiar, if temporarily silent, Australian strategist.
