Goodman recovers from early scare to control combat and win on cards
Sam Goodman took an important step towards a world title by securing a unanimous decision victory over Rodrigo Fabian Ruiz at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The IBF super bantamweight eliminator saw the Australian survive a rocky start to dominate the later rounds with superior conditioning and technical adjustments.
The opening rounds were far from comfortable for Goodman. Ruiz came out aggressive and found a home for a heavy upper hand in the second round that clearly upset the local favorite. That power kept Goodman on his heels through the first three frames, while Ruiz drove the pace and forced awkward exchanges.
The momentum reversed in the fourth. Goodman began to find his distance behind a tight jab, specifically targeting Ruiz’s midsection. This investment in bodywork quickly paid off, as Ruiz’s explosive moves slowed and his work rate dropped. By controlling the distance, Goodman was able to pick his spots and land sharp combinations while staying out of the way of Ruiz’s heavy counters.
Goodman’s engine was the difference in the final stages. He rocked Ruiz with a sharp left uppercut in the tenth and followed up in the eleventh with a relentless body attack that sent Ruiz covering against the ropes. While Ruiz remained dangerous with some power shots, he couldn’t keep up with the volume coming his way.
The judges saw the contest comfortably for Goodman with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 118-110. With this win, Goodman solidifies his position as a top contender in the 122 pound division.
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Last updated on 2026/04/05 at 12:22
