Australia’s newest boxing world champion insists Sam Goodman can trust the judges in Japan, declaring it “the fairest place in the world to fight” ahead of Sunday’s title showdown with Ryosuke Nishida.

Goodman faces the former bantamweight champion in Tokyo for the interim IBF super-bantamweigfht crown, almost two years after his blockbuster showdown with Naoya Inoue fell apart, with fight to be shown live on Kayo Sports.

Goodman v Nishida | Sunday September 27 from 6pm AEST | Sam Goodman takes on Japan’s Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super bantamweight world title live from Tokyo on Kayo Sports.

The Albion Park product known as “The Ghost” must now defeat a Japanese fighter on home soil, but Andrew Moloney does not believe he needs a knockout to bring the belt back to Australia.

Moloney recently won the IBF super-flyweight title via majority decision over Mexican rival Willibaldo Garcia in Japan – and says visiting fighters can expect a fair shake.

Goodman knows only too well the dangers of leaving a world-title fight in the judges’ hands.

He went down via unanimous decision to Nick Ball last year, with the eyebrow-raising scores of 118-110 and 117-111 hardly reflecting what was a far tighter fight.

“I think Japan’s the fairest place in the world to fight – even against Japanese fighters,” Moloney told Fox Sports Australia.

“Sam’s fighting a Japanese fighter in his own backyard, but I’ve seen fights in the past that were close and I thought the Japanese fighter deserved to win.

“It’s almost like they’re so honourable and they don’t want to look like they’re favouring their fighter.

“I feel like you’re going to get a very fair decision over there, even if you’re fighting against a Japanese fighter.”

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Sam Goodman and Andrew MoloneySource: FOX SPORTS

Moloney also knows Goodman’s game better than most.

The pair have trained together over the years, and Moloney believes the 27-year-old’s disciplined, mobile style can give Nishida big problems.

“We’ve done plenty of rounds over the years with Sammy,” Moloney said.

“He’s a very good fighter. This is obviously a big opportunity for him and a fight that I think he can win.

“I thought he held himself well in his last world-title effort against Nick Ball, and that was obviously up a weight.

“I think super-bantamweight is probably his best division and he knows what it takes to win this fight.”

Nishida has lost only once in 12 pro appearances, with that defeat coming when he was pulled out after six rounds against Japanese superstar Junto Nakatani last year.

Moloney, who has also fought Nakatani, rates the former IBF bantamweight champion highly – but reckons his relatively flat-footed approach could play into Goodman’s hands.

“I watched his fight against Junto Nakatani, who I fought, and he’s a good fighter, no doubt,” Moloney said.

“He fought well against Nakatani and gave him a close fight until he was pulled out after six rounds.

“I do rate Nishida, but I think his style suits Sam.

“Sam’s very quick in and out on his feet, while Nishida isn’t really a fast-footed fighter. He’s more of a flat-footed boxer, and I think that will suit Sammy.”

Moloney expects the fight to go the full 12 rounds and believes Goodman should fight exactly the way he usually does.

“Sam really always boxes one style and he’s very disciplined with it,” he said.

“He doesn’t change things up a lot or take too many risks. He does almost the same thing from round one to round 12 – but what he does, he does very well.

“He controls distance in and out very well with his feet. It’s almost like he’s fencing in a way.

“I think he’s just got to keep collecting the points and win each round at a time.

“I think it will go the distance, and he’s just got to make sure he’s busy enough to win seven of those rounds.”

Andrew Moloney delivered a career-defining victory, defeating Mexico’s Willibaldo Garcia in Japan to complete one of the greatest comeback stories in Aussie boxing.Source: FOX SPORTS

Goodman has risen through the ranks with Wollongong’s rowdy “Mad Bunch” behind him, but Tokyo promises a much different soundtrack.

Moloney insists the quieter atmosphere will be no less intense.

“The Japanese fans are the most passionate in the sport,” he said.

“They may not be the rowdiest crowd, but they’re there from the first fight to the last. They watch every single punch.

“They absolutely love and respect the fighters. You can really feel how much they care about boxing.

“Goodman is known for his supporter base being loud, so it will probably be a different atmosphere for him. But I’m sure he’s bringing a few over.”

Moloney also dismissed concerns about Goodman having too little time to acclimatise.

“It’s only a seven or eight-hour flight and the time difference is only an hour,” he said.

“I was only over there for five or six days before my last fight and had no issue at all. It’s certainly a lot easier than fighting in America.”

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Victory could revive Goodman’s hopes of eventually facing Inoue after their undisputed title fight was twice cancelled because of a cut suffered by the Australian.

Moloney, however, has a feeling the opportunity may never return, with Inoue expected to leave the division in the near future.

“It would be great to see and I’m sure that’s what Sam wants,” Moloney said.

“But realistically, I don’t think it’s probably going to happen.

“It sounds like Inoue is going to fight Bam Rodriguez for his last fight at super-bantamweight and then move up to featherweight.

“That’s obviously a shame for Sam. But this is for an interim world title, so the winner will most likely be upgraded to full world champion once he moves up.”