The WBA World Featherweight Champion, Nick Ball (UK) — 22 wins (13 KOs), 0 losses, 1 draw — will defend his title against Sam Goodman (Australia), the current No.1 contender in both the IBF and WBO super bantamweight rankings and No.4 in the WBC. Goodman, undefeated in 20 fights with 8 KOs, is moving up in weight for the challenge. The bout has been officially announced as part of the “Riyadh Season” and will take place on August 16 (August 17 JST) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will be broadcast on DAZN.
Goodman suffered a cut above his left eyelid requiring four stitches during a sparring session on December 14 last year, just 10 days before his scheduled bout with undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue (Ohashi) — 30 wins (27 KOs), no losses. Although the fight was postponed for a month, Goodman re-injured the same area during sparring on January 11, this time needing 14 stitches, which ultimately led to the cancellation of his title challenge against Inoue.
In his most recent bout on May 14 (May 15 JST) in Sydney, Australia, Goodman defeated César Baca (Mexico) — 19 wins (12 KOs), 2 losses, 1 draw — by unanimous decision over 10 rounds. However, he again suffered a cut above his left eyelid due to a head clash.
A sudden move up in weight for a world title challenge — the question is whether Goodman can withstand the relentless pressure and nonstop attacks of Nick Ball. The cut above his left eyelid remains a major concern, and a tough battle is expected.
Meanwhile, Hayato Tsutsumi (Shisei Gym) — ranked No.3 by the WBA and No.15 by the IBF at super featherweight, with an undefeated record of 7 wins (4 KOs) — has signed with the “Riyadh Season” and is set to face Qais Ashfaq (UK) — 13 wins (5 KOs), 3 losses, 1 draw — in what will be Tsutsumi’s first fight abroad.
The main event on the same day will feature a 12-round heavyweight bout between 20-year-old British knockout sensation Moses Itauma — ranked No.1 by the WBO, No.3 by the WBA, No.7 by the IBF, and No.11 by the WBC, with an undefeated record of 12 wins (10 KOs) — and former WBC interim heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte (UK), who holds a record of 31 wins (21 KOs) and 3 losses.
Former WBA featherweight world champion Raymond Ford (USA) — now ranked No.4 by both the WBA and WBC, and No.5 by the IBF and WBO at super featherweight, with a record of 17 wins (8 KOs), 1 loss, and 1 draw — will take on Anthony Cacace (Ireland), who recently vacated the IBF super featherweight world title while still undefeated, and now holds a record of 23 wins (8 KOs) and 1 loss.
Filip Hrgović (Croatia), ranked No.2 by the WBO, No.5 by the WBC, No.3 by the WBA, and No.6 by the IBF, with a record of 18 wins (14 KOs) and 1 loss, is set to face David Adeleye (UK) — 14 wins (13 KOs), 1 loss.
Hrgović had previously been ordered by the IBF to fight No.4-ranked Frank Sánchez (Cuba) — 25 wins (18 KOs), 1 loss — in a final eliminator, and although he initially expressed willingness to take the fight, he has withdrawn from that bout to participate in this event instead.
Sam Goodman had to cancel his challenge against Naoya Inoue due to an eyelid injury, so careful preparation will be essential this time. With rumors circulating about debts such as real estate loans, this may very well be a high-stakes challenge in pursuit of big money.
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