Chris Goodwin has set his sights on more glory following his title-winning return to action in front of a home crowd last weekend.
Great Barrow boxer Goodwin, 25, secured an impressive points victory over Irish veteran Oisin Fagan to claim the vacant WBF intercontinental lightweight title at a packed Northgate Arena on Saturday night.
Goodwin, who trains at the Chester Boxers gym in Hoole, showed no signs of ring rust after almost 18 months away from competitive action and has now set his sights on a possible world title fight, once again in his home city.
“We got the tactics right and everything went according to plan and I couldn’t be happier,” said Goodwin, who was joined on the bill by Chester Boxers stablemate Paul Economides, who defeated Hungarian David Kanalas for the WBF internation super bantamweight title.
“He (Fagan) is a tough fighter and has quite a few knockouts on his record, so to get the win was a major plus, especially in front of a home crowd.
“Hopefully I can build on this victory and get a world title fight in the near future, hopefully here in Chester again.”
Goodwin’s fight with 40-year-old Fagan, nicknamed ‘Gael Force’, had been postponed three times in the past, having originally been scheduled for 2012 but cancelled due to a serious car accident involving the Chester fighter’s sister Susan who, thankfully, made a full recovery.
Problems with Fagan getting approval from the British Boxing Board put paid to the second while Goodwin failed to make the weight for the scheduled third fight.
With the fight so hotly anticipated, both boxers looked to take the upper hand from the first bell but it was Goodwin who prevailed thanks to his cleaner punching and slick counters to Fagan’s right-hooks.
The Irishman, 15 years his opponent’s senior, was no pushover and attempted to remain in the home favourite’s face throughout the contest.
But Goodwin stood firm and proved too slick for the veteran, claiming a comprehensive points win.
“It was a fight that both of us had been wanting to get on for a long time now and I’m delighted to have got the result I wanted and needed,” said Goodwin.
“The crowd were just fantastic and that gave me a real lift and helped me get the win.
“Hopefully I can come back in front of them again pretty soon and, hopefully, be competing for a world title.
“Chester is a city not that famous for its boxing so it is nice to be able to help put it on the map.”
Goodwin is not resting on his laurels, however, and has already headed back to the gym and shifted his focus to his next fight, whoever that may be against.
“I’m in great shape at the moment and I’ve been away from the ring for too long,” he said.
“I don’t want to let this slip now and I want to make the most of the chance that I’ve got.
“I’m back in the gym and I’m concentrating on making sure I’m ready to go again soon.
“There is a path that we have got in mind that we want to go down, which involves a world title fight, but if a shot at the British title came up then I wouldn’t be turning that down.”
Following his victory over Kanalas, Economides revealed he was now looking to the future with renewed optimism after coming out on top in his 'make-or-break' bout.
“Saturday night was one of the best nights of my life and it went even better than I had hoped it would,” he said.
“I’m still on cloud nine. I didn’t expect it to be over so quickly if I’m honest but as soon as I started to catch him with some body shots I could see he was hurting.
“I knew going into it that it was make-or-break for my career and that losing wasn’t an option. It was just pleasing that I could do it with the first stoppage of my career and in front of the home fans.
“It was just an amazing feeling and I just want to get out there again as soon as I can now,” said Economides, who revealed he is hoping to be back in the ring again within three months.
“The atmosphere was awesome and we went out after the fight to celebrate and I had people who I’d never met come up and want to have pictures with me and pose with the belt.
“I feel I’m in the best shape of my life now and I don’t want to let that slip.”
