Goodman Ready For War!
October 11th, 2008
By Jesse Kelley

Van Goodman (2-1-1, 2 KO's) will take a huge step in competition tonight in Hinckley, MN as he faces 39 year old Spanish veteran Jorge Valdes (22-5-2, 16 KO's). The huge gap in experience may be washed just a little since Valdes last entered the ring over 9 years ago.
Goodman discussed his upcoming bout and also hints at a few local matchups he is interested in with MinnesotaBoxing.com last night. Here is what Goodman had to say...

I've been going over he fight scenario in my head over. Just trying to burn a gameplan into my head. I trained hard for this fight. I added Ray Nelson to my team to work on condition. He worked with me when I was an amateur and he also works with Corey Rodriguez so I feel confident that I'll be ready to go four hard rounds of straight war if I have to.
But the plan is to hit and not get hit, just box and utilize my fast hands. If I win by decision, I'm will be just fine with that. I mean the guy is 22-5 and a win on my record from a guy like that will be great. It will send me in the right path. A lot of people think I'm crazy fighting a guy with that much success and experience but I believe you are only as good as the guys you fight. If you're fighting bums your whole career then it's that level you will stay at and I want the best fighters I can get.
I turned pro in 2004 and I only have four fights so far so I gotta go get as many as I can.
Nobody wants to fight in Minnesota and I don't have a promoter to fly them in for me so it has been hard to find fights.
Boris (Shishporenok) has been the only man that wants to step up in Minnesota and fight me but of course he out weighs me by 50+ pounds and 7 inches in height. It's like Mayweather fighting Jones Jr. Basically It's like two separate weight classes, no serious professional fighter would give up that much weight.
But I've fought as big as him my whole career so it's nothing for me. I'm just playing it smart... let it build up. Hey, maybe we will be on the undercard of Abell vs Butler someday and then the winners can face off! I would love to give Joey Abell another fight, this time with smaller gloves and no headgear (laughing)!
But I gotta go get some rest, I plan on wooping some ass tomorrow!