WBA middleweight world boxing champion Felix Sturm, left, and IBF world boxing champion Daniel Geale of Australia fight during their unification title bout in Oberhausen, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012. Geale won the fight by points. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Daniel Geale elevated himself into the top echelon of world boxing and created a piece of Australian boxing history, as he added Felix Sturm’s WBA middleweight Super title to his IBF crown with a 12-round split decision points win in Oberhausen, Germany.
British official Dave Parris and South African Stanley Christodoulou both scored the unification fight 116-112 in Geale’s favour, while American judge Eugene Grant had Sturm ahead 116-112.
Tasmanian-born but Sydney-based Geale became the first Australian-born boxer to unify two globally recognised titles in the same division.
It was an absorbing strategic contest between two accomplished technicians.
Sturm worked well off the jab in the early rounds, but Geale asserted himself more in the middle and latter rounds.
The Australian did better in the inside exchanges, while Sturm’s best work was done on the outside.
Geale, 31, suffered a cut near his left ear early in the fight, but it wasn’t a factor.
He mounted sustained pressure for the first time in the third round and was particularly strong in the sixth and seventh.
Sturm dug deep in the latter rounds, but Geale shaded him in work rate and power punches.
Geale, who was making the third defence of his IBF title, improved his overall record to 28-1, 15 KOs.
Sturm 33, who was unbeaten in his last 14 fights over six years, dropped a points decision in Germany for the first time, with his log now reading 37-3-2, 16 KOs.
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September 2nd 2012 @ 1:39pm
The Greatest Game Of All said | September 2nd 2012 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Well done Danny, great achievement. The big money fights await.
September 2nd 2012 @ 1:43pm
Andrew Potter said | September 2nd 2012 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Very impressive victory by Geale. I look forward to the upcoming match ups. Take note Mundine.
September 2nd 2012 @ 2:03pm
Swampy said | September 2nd 2012 @ 2:03pm | Report comment
Compare Geale with Tomic. What a contrast in every sense possible.
This guy deserves every cent he earns from this point forward.
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September 2nd 2012 @ 2:05pm
Steve said | September 2nd 2012 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Very impressive, and a good moment for Australian boxing.
September 2nd 2012 @ 2:46pm
Damien said | September 2nd 2012 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Great win Danny !!
Great moment for Australian Boxing.
September 2nd 2012 @ 4:25pm
bill larkin said | September 2nd 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Unlike Mundine, who will never fight a credible US fighter, Geale is destined to take on the best. He could retire as Australia’s best ever boxer. To beat Sturm on points in Germany is an amazing achievement.
The only sad thing is that the goose Mundine as a win over Geale, in a very poor decision.
September 2nd 2012 @ 5:18pm
Droppa said | September 2nd 2012 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
represents Australia well this fella,polite & humble…excellent.
September 2nd 2012 @ 7:40pm
bennalong said | September 2nd 2012 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
This bloke is a boxer!
Accurate and evasive, and dauntless!
Could well be one of Australia’s greats!
Well done Danny Geale
September 2nd 2012 @ 11:11pm
Mals said | September 2nd 2012 @ 11:11pm | Report comment
Fantastic performance from Geale. His aggression & inside work got him the decision. How the American fighter saw Sturm winning by 4 rounds was ridiculous!
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September 3rd 2012 @ 6:03am
steve b said | September 3rd 2012 @ 6:03am | Report comment
Great job Daniel you have come a long way since training in that little hall in the middle of the paddock in Launceston .Your old amatuer coach Graham George must be a proud man ..i knew then mate you would go all the way . I know you read the Roar so from all the old guard good on you mate . The balls in your court now have your next one in Aus so we can all come ..cheers Daniel ..