In a brisk, active, and entertaining battle, Australian Sam Goodman used his jab and aggression to out-work and upset previously undefeated Ra’eese Aleem by a split decision.
Goodman won in an IBF 122-pound title eliminator in the night’s co-feature for Tim Tszyu vs Carlos Ocampo.
Winning by scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 112-116, Goodman himself remained undefeated. He moved a step closer to a title shot. Aleem dropped to 20-1 with 12 KOs.
Despite Aleem’s dedicated body attack, the judges rewarded Goodman’s forward-moving charge, especially in the second half of the fight when Goodman seemed to rev his offense into another gear. After his corner told him to pick it up, Goodman out-landed Aleem 78-61 in rounds 8-12 and won five of the last six rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards.
Sam Goodman beats Ra’eese Aleem
“That was tough early. He was awkward,” the 24-year-old Goodman said. “I’m so pumped. Words can’t explain the work me and my team put into this.
“This is the start. My heart was through the roof [when I learned it was a split decision]. He’s a tough competitor. He comes in with awkward stuff. It was a big test.
“I knew early on I had to be smart and give him respect. I’d come through in the later rounds. We’re coming for those straps. We’re coming for them.”
In the main event, undefeated Australian action fighter Tim Tszyu blitzed contender Carlos Ocampo with a stunning first-round knockout.
He defended his Interim WBO 154-pound title headlining action live on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL on SHOWTIME® from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia, in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast will replay on SHOWTIME on Sunday at 9 a.m. ET/PT and on SHOWTIME EXTREME® on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL remote telecast from CBS Broadcast Center while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handled blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares with boxing historian and Hall of Famer Steve Farhood serving as unofficial scorer.
The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL telecast was executive produced by four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr., with Ray Smaltz III producing and Chuck McKean directing.