Sam Goodman admitted that the doubts about his ability to become a championship-caliber boxer “fueled” him before his fight against undefeated contender Ra’eese Aleem.

The unbeaten Australian established himself as a legitimate threat in the 122-pound division by beating Aleem in their 12-round IBF elimination match Sunday afternoon in Broadbeach, Australia. Goodman, 24, dealt well with Aleem’s awkwardness, pressed the action more than anticipated and won a split decision on the Tim Tszyu-Carlos Ocampo undercard at Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Goodman’s most notable victory vaulted him into position to challenge newly crowned IBF junior featherweight champ Marlon Tapales.

“I was listening to everyone before [the fight],” Goodman said during his post-fight press conference. “You know, all the comentators, you know, they weren’t too sure I was at that level. There was a lotta people that doubted me and, you know, it fueled me. I know how good I am and I showed glimpses of it [Sunday]. You know, I know I’m at that level. I’m ready to beat world champions. I’m gonna do it. You know, there’s no two ways about it, Marlon Tapales, I beat him every day of the week.”

The Philippines’ Tapales (37-3, 19 KOs) upset Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KOs) by split decision to win the IBF and WBA 122-pound championships April 8 at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio.

Tapales hopes to face the winner of the Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue fight next in what would be a full unification fight in their division. Philadelphia’s Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBC and WBO 122-pound crowns against Japan’s Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs) on July 25 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Goodman (15-0, 7 KOs), who is ranked fourth by the IBF, nevertheless expects to become its mandatory challenger for one of Tapales’ titles after defeating the fifth-ranked Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs) on two scorecards. Aleem landed a lot of body shots in their 12-round bout, but Goodman avoided many of Aleem’s head shots, used his jab effectively and sometimes made Aleem pay by countering the Muskegon, Michigan native in exchanges.

Goodman won nine and eight rounds, respectively, according to judges Adam Height (117-111) and Daniel Sandoval (116-112).

Aleem won eight rounds, however, on judge Masakazu Murase’s card (116-112). CompuBox also unofficially credited Aleem for slightly out-landing Goodman overall in their 12-round bout (140-of-715 to 132-of-509).

Goodman still believes he did enough to win eight rounds, in part because he took control during the second half of their fight.

“Early on, I knew he was gonna do a lotta crazy and erratic stuff,” Goodman said. “Swing wild, swing hard. I had to be wary of it. You know, he’s a good fighter. Like he said, all the top fighters in this division, they didn’t wanna fight him. You know, they didn’t want this fight. You know, he was an avoided fighter. So, people were worried about his style. I welcomed the challenge, you know, so there was no two ways about it – I knew I was gonna do a job on him, but I knew there was a process to do that.

“You know, I knew early on I’d have to be smart, I’d have to be switched on. You know, not take too many silly chances against him. And then, later on in the fight, you know, back that I’m a 12-round fighter, I’m a warrior. I can push the pace, you know, as the fight goes on. And that’s what I done and he folded.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.