Ramon Cardenas and Sam Goodman have finalized an agreement to fight for the WBC interim super bantamweight title on the upcoming stadium card in Australia. The 122-pound clash is set for Sunday, July 26, which translates to Friday, July 25, 2026, for viewers in the United States. This high-stakes matchup serves as a primary support bout for the main event featuring former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and former WBO junior middleweight titleholder Tim Tszyu.
The pairing brings together the WBC’s #2-ranked contender, Sam Goodman, and the #4-ranked Ramon Cardenas. Lance Pugmire of Boxingscene first reported the development, which was later confirmed by ProBoxTV founder Garry Jonas and Cardenas’ co-manager Mike Miller. The event will be broadcast via Prime Video Pay-Per-View in the United States, while Australian fans can access the card through Kayo Sports and Foxtel via Main Event.
For Ramon Cardenas, this opportunity follows a standout performance in May 2025. The 30-year-old Texan earned widespread recognition when he dropped undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue before eventually falling to an eighth-round stoppage. Despite the loss, his ability to floor the “Monster” significantly elevated his divisional standing. Following that bout, Cardenas rebounded with a victory, bringing his professional record to 27-2 with 15 KOs.
Negotiation and divisional significance for Cardenas vs. Goodman
Cardenas was previously linked to a domestic appearance in late August on a ProBoxTV card against Lester Martinez. However, the chance to fight for an interim world title on a major international platform took precedence. Garry Jonas, founder of ProBoxTV, confirmed that the financial and competitive upside of the Australian trip was undeniable for the fighter.
“It’s a very good matchup on foreign soil, you’ve got to go for it,” Jonas said. “I don’t stand in the way of a fighter getting paid more money. We look forward to him bringing home the belt and putting the belt on ProBoxTV.”
This pursuit of international gold reflects a wider trend of top contenders taking risks abroad. While Robeisy Ramirez calls out Mauricio Sulaiman regarding regional hurdles elsewhere, Cardenas has chosen a direct path toward a mandatory position. A victory for either man on July 26 likely secures another world title opportunity against the division’s undisputed champion.
Sam Goodman looks to capitalize on home-field advantage
Sam Goodman enters the contest with a record of 22-1 and 8 KOs. The 27-year-old Australian is also seeking redemption on the world stage after his first professional defeat in August 2025. In that outing, Goodman dropped a unanimous decision to Nick Ball in a world title challenge. Since that setback, he has regained momentum with two consecutive victories on home soil.
The clash is expected to be a classic stylistic encounter. Goodman is known for his technical soundess, while Cardenas has proven he carries the power to disrupt elite opposition. This fight joins a growing list of significant matchups scheduled for the coming months, including the long-anticipated Fury-Joshua bout penciled in for late 2026, signaling a busy period for global boxing.
Spence and Tszyu headline a high-stakes broadcast
The July 26 card represents a pivotal moment for both the main event participants and the undercard fighters. Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. is making his long-awaited debut at junior middleweight (154 pounds) after his 2023 loss to Terence Crawford. Spence has expressed confidence about traveling to Australia, dismissing the notion that fighting in Tim Tszyu’s territory will affect his performance.
“Tszyu is an accomplished fighter, but he has never been in the ring with someone like me,” Spence Jr. stated. He added that he intends to put on a “one-sided fight” to prove he has returned to his peak form. Spence noted that the negotiation process was straightforward once his compensation was settled, and he plans to return to his family immediately after “taking care of business.”
Tim Tszyu, who holds a record of 27-3 with 18 KOs, is coming off a successful 10-round unanimous decision win over Anthony Velazquez in December. He also secured a points victory over Denis Nurja on Easter Sunday. Tszyu views the Spence matchup as the pinnacle of his career to date, emphasizing his desire to face the sport’s biggest names.
“Spence has fought the best of the best but like I’ve said throughout my career, these are the fights that I want,” Tszyu said. He also praised his most recent opponent, Nurja, as “tough” but stated that he and Spence will provide “one hell of a fight.”
Confirmed Spence-Tszyu undercard participants
While the full running order is subject to finalization, the following names have been officially confirmed for the July 26 broadcast in Australia:
- Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu: 12-round main event (Junior Middleweight).
- Ramon Cardenas vs. Sam Goodman: WBC interim super bantamweight title fight.
- Jermall Charlo: Participation confirmed; opponent remains to be confirmed (TBC).
This event marks another expansion for Prime Video’s pay-per-view boxing offerings. By placing high-level contenders like Cardenas and Goodman on the same card as established stars like Spence and Tszyu, organizers are looking to capture both the hardcore boxing audience and regional casual fans.
The super bantamweight division remains one of the most talent-rich landscapes in the sport. Much like how David Benavidez rejects Jai Opetaia to focus on a local showdown with Canelo, these fighters are making strategic decisions to maximize their leverage. For the winner of Cardenas vs. Goodman, that leverage will come in the form of a WBC interim belt and a clear path toward the top of the 122-pound rankings.
