The middleweight division is one of boxing’s most famous weight classes. One only needs to take a quick look back through any boxing record book to see some of the legendary names who have held the 160lb belt aloft. Names like Sugar Ray Robinson, Marvin Hagler and Bernard Hopkins jump off the page.
Sadly, until last year the middleweight division had been in somewhat of a slump. Since Hopkins’ long reign as champion came to an end, nobody had been able to take the division by the scruff of the neck and emerge as the man to beat. Step forward Sergio Martinez. The consensus choice for 2010’s “Fighter Of The Year” beat Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams to emerge as the undisputed king of the 160lb class. At the same time, a number of exciting young middleweights have emerged and the division seems set to spring back into life.
One of those fighters is 29 year old Australian, Daniel Geale, currently ranked #7 in the middleweight division by ProBoxing-Fans.com. Having recently stopped Roman Karmazin in a final elimination match for the IBF middleweight title, the number one contender for Sebastian Sylvester‘s belt took time out from training to speak with ProBoxing-Fans.com to talk about his career so far and share his hopes for 2011.
How did you find your way into the boxing gym as a youngster?
At the age of 9. My Dad ,Wayne, suggested I give it a try. I loved all sports but as soon as I started boxing I felt a sense of wholeness.
As an amateur you represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games and took a gold medal home. How did you find the experience?
The Commonwealth Games was a fantastic experience, I learned alot about myself and what I was capable of accomplishing when I had confidence in myself and pushing my limits. Living your dreams is pretty amazing so I feel truly blessed for the support that my family, friends and Australian Institute of Sport have given me to achieve my goals. I met many great athletes at both the Commonwealth Games and 2000 Olympics.
Do you feel your style was always more suited to the professional game?
I don’t believe that I was suited more when I was an amateur to being a pro but I found that when I decided to turn to professional boxing, that the transition was quite a smooth, I have had to adjust many things and work alot on my power since 2004, and think I have improved on that immensely.
Was there anything you had to change?
As an amateur you tend to sit higher in your stance, so I had to work on sitting down on my punches more in the pros.
Your victory over Geard Ajetovic for the IBO belt now looks like a solid victory. Dmitry Pirog and Matthew Macklin also beat him over the distance after you. How useful was this as a learning fight?
Geard was a good fight for me at the time. He was well known for his boxing skills, he had a very tight defense so I had to learn not to get frustrated at that and try and break him down. I think that particular fight tought me how to be a little more controlled.
The fight with Anthony Mundine was a big fight in Australia and very close. Although obviously disappointed not to get the decision, were you pleased with your performance in your first high profile fight against a world rated opponent?
Although I was very disappointed in the decision in this fight, I was very happy with my performance. I did enough to retain my IBO title in my opinion, however there are always areas you can improve on. The Mundine fight lifted my profile slightly in Australia .
What positives did you take from the fight?
I was in great condition, my coach Graham Shaw always prepares us well so I was happy with that. I also gained confidence in my own ability knowing that I can push myself and probably beat anyone in the world in the middleweight division.
In the Karmazin fight, every part of your game seemed to have gone up a level. How much of this was down to making adjustments in your game and how much was down to having gained the confidence that you were capable of being successful at the highest level?
My confidence in my own ability has been lifting considerably in my last few fights before Karmazin. I knew he was a very experienced fighter but as the rounds went on my confidence increased more and more so more confidence I guess more played the part.
Give us your thoughts on the fight.
He was a very experienced fighter, he was tricky, I knew at any stage he was very capable of landing big shots. I also knew that if I was patient I would be able to break him down.
The manner of your victory must give you a great deal of confidence heading into your fight with Sebastian Sylvester. Many thought Karmazin beat Sylvester.
After watching the fight myself, I believed that Karmazin had done enough to win. He was unlucky, but most people that know boxing are aware that its hard to get a decision in Germany against a German fighter. I am really looking forward to my opportunity to fight for the IBF world title, I will make sure that I do enough so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind who wins the fight.
What are your impressions of both Sylvester?
Sylvester is a great fighter obviously or he wouldn’t be the IBF Champion, however I believe I can beat him.
Obviously as Sylvester fight was slated to fight on the 22nd (the fight was canceled due to Sylvester falling ill), your chance could be 3-4 months away. That could mean a break of 6-7 months since the Karmazin fight. Would this inactivity be a worry and have you considered taking a ‘stay busy’ fight?
My team and I have discussed a stay busy fight, however I believe it to be best to focus on the fight with Sylvester. The inactivity does not bother me. I am a very patient person.
If Sylvester beats Bouada, and as rumored a bout between you took place in Germany, what are your thoughts on the apparent favoritism shown to the home fighters there? Would you be concerned about getting a decision in a close fight?
This has been an issue for most visitors in the past, the judging is tough and some may say a little biased. I will do all I can to make sure that the fight is not close, if it is close then I have to have faith in the judging. I don’t spend alot of time thinking about that. I concentrate on my training and my family and when the day comes I will take care of it.
If successful in winning the IBF belt, where would your long term ambitions lie? Your style would be a big hit in America and there is a new crop of middleweights emerging (Pirog, David Lemieux, Martin Murray, etc).
America is definitely where my longer term goals are aimed, I know fighting and winning in the U.S rewards you with respect and money. There are plenty of great fights for me there so after Sylvester I will look forward to it.
There would obviously be a clamor for a Mundine rematch (even after his recent loss). Would you entertain that or prefer to leave that part of your career behind?
At this stage in my career I am chasing bigger fighters than Mundine. I want to give the Australian public the fights they want to see, so if Mundine beats Garth Wood in their rematch (and that’s a big if) then we may entertain the idea. If Geale vs. Mundine II happens I will beat him again.
Give us your ideal plan for 2011.
Ideal 2011… Be patient for first part of the year, win the IBF title in Germany, negotiate some big fights in the U.S. Hopefully have 2-3 more fights for the year with the last one possibly a unification bout with one of the other champions in Australia.
Any points you would like to get across that you haven’t had the chance to express?
I have been under the radar for a long time, now its time to step up and show Australia and the world what I do best and hopefully be the new face of Australian boxing.
Finally, any hobbies when not in training? Who are your family?
I love to play golf. I pretty much love all sports to play and watch, I like to go fishing. My family consists of my wife Sheena, she is my backbone, and our three kids Bailey 6, Ariyelle 4 and Lilyarna 2.
