Australian super-bantamweight Sam Goodman has the chance to emulate the great Jeff Fenech after securing a world-title fight with a stirring upset victory over American Ra'eese "The Beast" Aleem.

In the bravest and best performance of his flourishing career, Goodman scored a split decision win over the previously unbeaten Aleem at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Goodman improved his record to 15 from 15, seven by knockout, after rallying to win the closing rounds of a bruising content on Sunday.

"It ain't Sam Goodman, call me Mr F***ing mandatory," the jubilant Wollongong whiz said after getting two of the three judges' nod.

"I'm just pumped right now. Words can't explain what me and the team have put into this.

"This is the start ... we're coming to Wollongong."

Aleem had been unbeaten in his 20 previous bouts but Goodman buried the beast with a relentless counter-punching display.

"It was tough early. He was awkward, he hit me with about 30 headbutts," Goodman said.

"I knew early on I had to be smart and I backed my strength in the later rounds to come at him."

Now Goodman can follow in the footsteps of Fenech, who in 1987 beat Japan's Satoshi Shingaki to snare the IBF super-bantamweight belt to become a two-division world champion.

Fenech eventually finished his legendary career as Australia's only four-weight boxing world champion.

Goodman now has the opportunity to win a first first world title after Sunday's skilful win elevated the 24-year-old to the WBO's mandatory top-ranked challenger to Filipino Marlon Tapales.