Purse bids have been cancelled at the 11th hour when heavyweight International boxing promoter Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions (USA), in conjunction with leading Australian promoter Grange Old School Boxing finalized a deal with Chris Meyer of Sauerland Promotions (Germany) which left all parties smiling.
As a result, the former IBO (International Boxing Organization) Middleweight Champion and the current IBF (International Boxing Federation) No.1 rated mandatory challenger, Australian Geale will fight the World Champion Sebastian Sylvester of Germany on May 7th at the Jahnsport Stadium in Neubrandenburg, Germany and attempt to place his name beside the likes of Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Arthur Abraham and Roy Jones Junior as the 10th person to hold the prestigious IBF Middleweight World Champion.
Taking a World Title off a German champion on German soil is widely regarded as mission impossible and a feat which evaded several Australian boxers in the past including the talents of Danny Green and Anthony Mundine. It is often quipped within boxing circles that – “even a knockout in Germany does not guarantee a win”.
Victory in this contest would cement Daniel ‘The Real Deal’ Geale into the Australian history books and elevate him into what is a small and elite group of men whom have left Germany with a World title.
Well aware of the obstacles ahead and which need to be overcome, Daniel commented – “After the fight with Roman Karmazin I knew it was then only a matter of time. I have been in training constantly and I’ve felt such a growth and development in my boxing and am in the best shape of my life.”
“With seven (7) weeks to go my trainer Graham Shaw will step up preparations to have me peaking in condition and ultimately, relieve Sylvester of his belt and bring it home to Australia”.
“Sylvester is a great champion with multiple defenses to his credit, but this is my time and I won’t be denied”
“As the defending champion, I expect Sylvester to be at the top of his game, but again, this is my time and I’ve been preparing mentally for this since November last year after I beat the former champion Roman Karmazin to earn the right as the mandatory challenger. It’s taken 20 years, 190+ combined Amateur and Professional fights (26 of those as a professional).”
“I’ve earned a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in that time and I’m very proud of that fact, but nothing will surpass winning a world title. It’s been a long, demanding road to get here and whilst I go in as the challenger, I do intend to leave as the champion”.
If Daniel’s ever improving performances over the past two (2) years are any indication, Geale goes in to this fight as the ‘Real Deal’ contender with the upmost live and legitimate chance of success. His systematic demolition of world class opponents Roman Karmazin and Kariz Kariuki in recent times following his stellar performance against Anthony Mundine have put everyone on notice that he has the style and technique to not only worry the best, but more importantly, beat the best!
A true ambassador of the sport and widely regarded as one of nature’s true gentlemen, the softly spoken thrashing machine eats, sleeps and drinks boxing, training at Grange Old School Boxing under the astute Graeme Shaw six (6) mornings a week, followed by leading and training a 70+ strong amateur club over two (2) sessions, four (4) nights a week.
Daniel trains students from Magdalene Catholic College weekly, conducts regular Boxercise training with NRL club – the Wests Tigers, conducts 1 on 1 personal training several times a week and seems to be at a different amateur boxing show every other night whilst maintaining responsibility and commitment to his supportive wife and 3 children, a world class achievement in itself.
Upon success, Grange Old School Boxing and Daniel Geale will look to make the first defense of the title back in Australia, most likely in Daniel’s home state of Tasmania and proudly saying thank you to everyone who has supported him from day one.
This event from Germany will be televised through Main Event PPV on both the Foxtel and Optus networks and presents a fantastic opportunity for the rising number of Geale fans to witness what will surely be a memorable contest and a proud day in Australian boxing, and importantly Australian sporting history…
