Sam Goodman Bounces Back with Convincing Win over Cesar Vaca Espinoza
Australian boxer Sam Goodman made a successful return to the ring with a dominant victory over Mexican rival Cesar Vaca Espinoza at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. According to Fox Sports Australia, Goodman controlled the fight from start to finish, eventually taking the win on all three scorecards with scores of 99-92, 99-91, and 100-90.
Goodman, 26, has been out of the ring for several months after losing his highly anticipated showdown against Japanese megastar Naoya Inoue. However, he looked strong and clinical on Wednesday night, dominating Espinoza, who hails from the same hometown as Canelo Alvarez. Despite suffering a pair of nasty cuts around both eyes late in the fight, Goodman continued to push forward, ultimately securing the win.
“Back to stitches, then back to the gym,” Goodman joked after the fight. “I tried to get through it without any cuts but not my style this year.” When asked about the cut under his left eye, Goodman attributed it to a “beauty of a punch” and a “beauty of a headbutt” that caused the second cut.
Goodman’s promoter, No Limit, has already discussed the possibility of catapulting him onto the same July card where Tim Tszyu rematches Sebastian Fundora for the WBC super welterweight crown. With one spot available on the card, Goodman is among a small group of possible contenders, including two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson and rising Sydneysider Mateo Tapia.
The card, slated for Sunday, July 20 in Las Vegas, will also feature boxing megastar Manny Pacquiao, who returns to the ring for the first time in almost four years to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. While Goodman is determined to continue chasing Inoue, the Japanese star has already been confirmed for Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September and, likely, fellow Japanese star Junto Nakatani in early 2026.
As a result, discussions for Goodman could turn to an interim IBF or WBO championship bout – with potential rivals including the likes of undefeated Filipino Carl Jammes Martin (25-0) and former division king Marlon Tapales (40-4). Fox Sports Australia reported that Goodman’s team is exploring options for him to fight for a world title in the near future.
In other news, Olympic bronze medallist Harry Garside made a successful return to the professional ranks, stopping Queenslander Charlie Bell despite an early head cut. Garside’s victory was marred by controversy, with referee John Cauci making a shocking call that left many in the boxing community stunned.
Additionally, Australian heavyweight king Stevan Ivic retained his national crown in a brutal Sydney slugfest being hailed one of the greatest fights ever on a No Limit card – and an undeniable contender for 2025 Fight of The Year. Meanwhile, Jasmine Parr took longer to find a mouthguard than finish Jittamat Phomta in a performance that, afterwards, also saw her call out several rivals – including Australian boxing queen Shannon O’Connell.
The event, which was held at the iconic Hordern Pavilion, saw several statement wins from up-and-coming boxers, including Sydney cruiserweight Salvatore Gattuso, who earned a brutal first-round finish against Fijian Nikesh Prasad. Sydney’s Tyrell Adams also continued his unbeaten start to the professional ranks, earning a third straight super featherweight win against Roy Gavera.
As reported by Fox Sports Australia, the event was a huge success, with many of the fighters showcasing their skills and determination in the ring. With the boxing world continuing to evolve, it’s clear that Goodman and other Australian fighters are pushing to make their mark on the sport.
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