*Article originally appeared in the Newcastle Herald on July 25, 2014
Sunday’s World title fight between Daniel Geale and Gennady Golovkin should really be scheduled for Las Vegas rather than New York, given the gamble the Australian is taking.
The Golovkin fight is high in risk for Geale, yet high in reward.
A fight with Golovkin was always the final part of Geale’s master plan; however events have conspired to grant him the opportunity sooner than expected.
The plan hit a massive speed bump in August last year, when Darren Barker climbed off the canvas to outwork Geale and steal his world title via a split decision. It wasn’t meant to be that way, in what was Geale’s American debut. The fight was Geale’s showcase to the American public and the Barker fight was meant to be a test, but end in a Geale victory all the same.
But Geale has made a habit of doing things the hard way in his career.
He won two world title fights against Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm in their own backyards in Germany, a place many fighters refuse to go, and he’ll have to shock the world again to claim the IBO and WBA Middleweight titles on Sunday.
Geale could have faced Sam Soliman for his newly won world title or scheduled a rubber match with Anthony Mundine , making good money facing either and having a far easier night.
But instead Geale faces the most devastating boxer in the world in Golovkin.
Golovkin is that devastating he has a knockout percentage of 89.66% and is undefeated in 29 professional fights. His last sixteen fights have ended by knockout and the last time one of his fights went the distance was in 2008.
Golovkin is that devastating he has a knockout percentage of 89.66% and is undefeated in 29 professional fights. His last sixteen fights have ended by knockout and the last time one of his fights went the distance was in 2008.
Geale’s biggest asset - his work rate and his non-stop pressure and volume punching - won him his two world title fights over Sturm and Sylvester in Germany. Golovkin has never gone the full twelve rounds in any of his 29 professional fights. Geale has fought just three fights more than Golovkin in their respective careers, yet Golovkin has boxed 113 rounds less than Geale.
If Geale can take the fight to the final minutes, his work rate and will to win may just prove the difference.As scary as those statistics are, it in fact, could be the Achilles heel for Geale to exploit, if indeed one exists.
If Geale can take the fight to the final minutes, his work rate and will to win may just prove the difference.As scary as those statistics are, it in fact, could be the Achilles heel for Geale to exploit, if indeed one exists.
Golovkin has devastating power and as much as Geale needs to be cautious coming forward, he still needs to fight in his natural style and trust his instincts. Geale’s extensive amateur experience ensures he is good technically and he has a solid defence, backed up by the fact he has never been knocked out in his 32 fight career.
Geale must drag Golovkin into the deep water and try and drown him. Geale does not have the knockout power to stop Golovkin, but he can outbox him and out work him, and the only way he’s winning on Sunday is if he goes the distance.
Many boxing writers in the US aren’t giving Geale much hope, but as good as Golovkin is, he fails to have a significant scalp on his resume and I would argue that Geale is the best credentialed fighter he has fought.
Geale has wins over world champions Roman Karmazin, Anthony Mundine, Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester, which ensures he won’t be overawed.
Golovkin boats wins over Matthew Macklin and Osumanu Adama, who have both had history with Geale. Adama fell to the Tasmanian back in 2012 in a twelve round decision, while Geale was scheduled to fight Macklin earlier this year before injury in the main event on the card saw broadcaster HBO cancel.
That fight was meant to be a reported ‘box-off’ with the winner moving onto Golovkin, but the cancellation has in fact worked in favour of the Australian. Geale is seen as the bigger box office draw and therefore he landed the opportunity.
Geale will be well remunerated for his efforts in the ring, with the fight going worldwide on pay-per-view; he’ll also have the chance to restart his master plan with multiple world titles at stake.
But lose on Sunday and who knows where Geale’s career will go.
A crushing defeat will see Geale once again rejoin the pack and after a long climb to the top, at 33, does he have it in him to do it all again?
It’s refreshing after all these years of seeing Anthony Mundine and Danny Green cherry pick opponents to have a fighter simply line up the best and attempt to knock them down.
That fight was meant to be a reported ‘box-off’ with the winner moving onto Golovkin, but the cancellation has in fact worked in favour of the Australian. Geale is seen as the bigger box office draw and therefore he landed the opportunity.
Geale will be well remunerated for his efforts in the ring, with the fight going worldwide on pay-per-view; he’ll also have the chance to restart his master plan with multiple world titles at stake.
But lose on Sunday and who knows where Geale’s career will go.
A crushing defeat will see Geale once again rejoin the pack and after a long climb to the top, at 33, does he have it in him to do it all again?
It’s refreshing after all these years of seeing Anthony Mundine and Danny Green cherry pick opponents to have a fighter simply line up the best and attempt to knock them down.
Up until now, he’s beaten them all.
Do it on Sunday and he may just become our best ever.*Geale-Golovkin is on Main Event Pay-Per-View from 11am Sunday
TALE OF THE TAPE
Daniel Geale – 32W-2L Gennady Golovkin – 29W-0L
Alias – The Real Deal Alias – GGG
Height – 5’10 Height – 5’10 ½
Reach – 180cm Reach – 179cm
Knockout Percentage – 50% Knockout Percentage – 89.66%
Rounds Boxed – 237 Rounds Boxed - 124
TALE OF THE TAPE
Daniel Geale – 32W-2L Gennady Golovkin – 29W-0L
Alias – The Real Deal Alias – GGG
Height – 5’10 Height – 5’10 ½
Reach – 180cm Reach – 179cm
Knockout Percentage – 50% Knockout Percentage – 89.66%
Rounds Boxed – 237 Rounds Boxed - 124
