Naoya Inoue’s title defence against Sam Goodman has been shelved for the second time.
Inoue was first due to face IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve last year in Japan.
X – Ben DamonGoodman’s cut reopened in training and he will now require surgery[/caption]
But the fight was rescheduled to January 24, as Goodman suffered a nasty cut in sparring with footage emerging of the incident.
Incredibly, the fight has now been called off again just two weeks out from their newly planned date.
Goodman has incredibly suffered the same injury, a cut above his eye which reopened in a new sparring session.
His promoter No Limit Boxing released a statement which read: “No Limit Boxing regrets to announce that Sam Goodman has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Naoya Inoue on January 24 due to a recurrence of his eye injury.
“We wish Sam a full and speedy recovery and will provide updates on the event in due course.”
Inoue will now face South Korean Ye Joon Kim who has stepped in on short notice to accept the title fight.
Kim is ranked No.11 with the WBO but is not present in any of the governing bodies’ rankings, but all four belts are expected to be at stake.
It is a truly devastating moment for Goodman, who has been preparing tirelessly for the biggest night of his professional career.
But his chances are now over for the foreseeable future.
He will now be forced to undergo plastic surgery to repair the cut, which reopened in training again.
And his promoter Brian Rose revealed the news in a separate update on his fighting future.
“It’s just devastating,” Rose said.
“After everything Sam went through the first time around, and now to have it happen again … I really don’t know what to say.
“There aren’t any words. The amount of time everyone has put into this.
“All the sacrifices Sam has made. It only happened this morning.
“We’ll now have to try and get him in for plastic surgery in the next 24 hours to have any hope of ensuring this mends.
Fox Sports AustraliaGoodman suffered the cut in a bad incident in training[/caption]
“For this to open like it has again, he’s obviously got soft skin there that we need to look at.”
Understandably it was a hugely deflating moment for Goodman’s camp as the cut reopened.
And Rose has explained just how badly the star reacted after learning the news was bad for the second consecutive occasion.
“Distraught,” he added of the fighter’s reaction to the incident.
“All he’s done for the past four months is prepare like there is no tomorrow.
“And now it’s all been ripped away from him.
“And for the second time.”