Sam Goodman’s injury woes have forced him out of a planned January 24 clash with undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue. Now, Goodman’s spot as the WBO’s No. 1 contender is under review. According to WBO President Gustavo Olivieri, Goodman must submit a detailed medical report within 10 days, explaining his injury, recovery plan, and whether he can be cleared to fight within six months.
"If he’ll be ready within the six-month window, there’s no issues at all," Olivieri said, emphasizing the need to keep the division active. Goodman had initially postponed a planned Christmas Eve fight with Inoue after sustaining a cut over his left eye in training. When the injury reopened, Goodman withdrew altogether, leaving Inoue to face South Korean Ye Joon Kim instead.
Meanwhile, Murodjon Akhmadaliev - ranked No. 1 by the WBA - contends that Inoue is "avoiding him." Akhmadaliev’s attorney Pat English fired off a letter to WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. urging the sanctioning body to enforce its mandatory. Bob Arum, promoter for Inoue, says there’s a potential plan to pit Inoue against Alan Picasso in the spring, followed by a showdown with Akhmadaliev later, possibly in Saudi Arabia. Turki Alalshikh also teased advanced talks with several high-profile fighters, including Inoue, for upcoming events this year.
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