Face it, nice guy Daniel Geale wants to get nasty

By Mike Gandon
Updated November 6 2012 - 12:16am, first published June 1 2010 - 11:45am
Daniel Geale (right) goes eye-to-eye at yesterday’s weigh-in with Kariz Kariuki - challenger for his IBF Pan Pacific middleweight crown. Picture: ROBERT PEET
Daniel Geale (right) goes eye-to-eye at yesterday’s weigh-in with Kariz Kariuki - challenger for his IBF Pan Pacific middleweight crown. Picture: ROBERT PEET

Daniel Geale does not fit the image of the brash, modern boxer.The "Real Deal" is a courteous and respectful family man outside the square ring.However, within the confines of those ropes this talented boxing technician, originally from Tasmania but who fights out of the Grange Old School Boxing Gymnasium near Narellan, is all business.Geale will concede a significant height and reach advantage when he defends his International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific middleweight title against Australian Contender finalist Kariz Kariuki in the main event of a quality card featuring many of Australia's top boxers at WIN Entertainment Centre tonight.Geale has not fought since last October when he comprehensively outboxed Brazilian Samir Dos Santos Barbosa to win the vacant IBF title in Launceston.And it's just over one year since Geale lost his WBO world middleweight belt to Anthony Mundine in what was a close, controversial result.But Geale said he has moved on from Mundine and that loss. He has some world-class boxers and another world title in sight.At yesterday's weigh-in Geale registered 73kg, while Kariuki, coming down from light heavyweight, was 73.4kg."(Reach and height) is not really a concern. It's something we've been working on in the gym," Geale said."It will be good to get in there against a tall guy. I have fought a lot of tall guys in the past and I'm looking forward to it."This is my first fight this year and I'm expecting a big one. I want to go out there and put in a good performance and get the job done right."We've trained hard. We're ready now for tomorrow night."Like Geale, Kariuki was making no bold predictions but was confident of dropping to box at middleweight."I will do my best. I'm here to fight," Kariuki said.Two of Australia's top boxers - Billy Dib and Robert Medley - will be involved in the main support bouts, defending their respective titles.The exciting and talented Dib will fight Verakachit Senahan of Thailand for the IBF Pan Pacific featherweight title and Medley defends his IBF Australasian junior middleweight belt against Sergio Aparicio of Argentina.The grudge fight of the night undoubtedly will be between Junior Talipeau and Nader Hamdan, who had to be separated at the weigh-in after wanting to trade blows.Australian Contender winner Garth Wood will fight experienced William Hadlow.Wood said he would display improved boxing skills - drills and combinations he has learned under the guidance of trainer Billy Hussein."I'm ready to go. I've had a good prep and can't wait," Wood said.A fit and sharp Shannan Taylor has been angered by some derogatory comments from Ben Costello's camp.The former world title contender has promised to make the Victorian boxer pay for the insults.At the weigh-in, Taylor vented his feelings while Costello was anything but outspoken.Costello thanked Taylor for the chance to fight him on such an outstanding night of boxing.In the pre-telecast bout, Victor Chernous meets Alex Ahtong.Ahtong was disappointing in his most recent bout and will be out to make amends in front of his home crowd.The Grange Old School Boxing, in association with Harro Productions, have included fund-raising activities in the "New Breed" fight night to assist Amber Fawell, 4, of Unanderra, who has been diagnosed with a serious brain tumour, and to help support her family.TONIGHT'S FIGHT CARDPre-telecast: Victor Chernous v Alex AhtongFight 1: Ben Costello (red) v Shannan Taylor (blue) 8 roundsFight 2: William Hadlow (red) v Garth Wood (blue) 6 roundsFight 3: Junior Talipeau (red) v Nader Hamdan (blue) 8 roundsFight 4: IBF Australasian junior middleweight title: Sergio Aparicio (red) v Rob Medley (blue) 12 roundsFight 5: IBF Pan Pacific featherweight title: Billy Dib (red) v Verakachit Senahan (blue) 12 roundsFight 6: Main event - IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title: Kariz Kariuki (red) v Daniel Geale (blue) 12 roundsTelecast on Main Event pay-per-view.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Wollongong news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.