Aussie can 'shock the world' in title redemption shot
Ball, England's only current male boxing world champion, will defend his strap against the Australian on the Moses Itauma-Dillian Whyte card in Riyadh on Sunday (AEST).
The Australian (20-0) has moved up from super bantamweight - a difference of about three kilograms - but has filled out nicely at the 57kg featherweight limit and stands 12cm taller than champion Ball (22-0-1).
After spending two years as mandatory, Goodman was due to meet Japanese pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a Tokyo title fight last year.
A bad cut above his eye in sparring delayed it and when the cut reopened Goodman was forced to withdraw, and give up the $1 million payday.
A 10-month layoff was required before he beat Cesar Vaca in May and then jumped at the chance to move up and challenge Ball.
"He's going there to win and shock the world," No Limit Boxing boss George Rose, Goodman's promoter, told AAP.
"He's worked so hard in that division to get to where he is and to miss out (against Inoue) ... this is like redemption.
"He deserves it; for years, he's been a real grinder and he's standing on his own and getting his shot and that's what I love about Aussie boxing.
"Whenever we get on the world stage, they treat us like underdogs and we shock the world and that's why it feels so much better."
Goodman has spent the week leading into the fight at a desert training camp in virtual solitude and was in no mood for civilities at Friday's press conference.
"I've got a good guy in front of me and it's an opportunity I've waited a long time for," he said.
"I've prepared my whole life for this moment and I'm not ready to let it slip."
"He's been in (the ring) with good guys but I'm a different puzzle."
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