- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Hard-working Daniel Geale has spared nothing and sparred he most rounds in his career as he prepares to defend his IBF middleweight boxing tittle later his month.
Geale, who will fight Englishman Darren Barker in Atlantic City on August 18 Australian time, in his fifth title defence, had his last local pre-fight public workout in Sydney on Monday.
A large contingent of media and interested observers, including some NRL players, packed into a small gymnasium in inner-city Redfern to watch him spar eight rounds with nationally-ranked light heavyweight Trent Broadhurst.
Geale has already logged around 150 rounds of work, with probably just one more session to go, before he leaves for this first fight on US soil at the end of the week.
“We knew it was going to be a tough training camp, we knew we had to prepare very well,” Geale told AAP.
“Barker is not an easy opponent, so I’ve had to put everything into it, and treat it how it should be treated and then we get the desired result.”
“Everything has gone really well, the training camp has gone perfectly.
“I’ve had such a great preparation,I’m feeling very fit, no injuries, no problems.
“My mind is very clear, at the moment, I’m very focused.
“I’ve definitely stepped it up since my last fight.
“I’m feeling stronger and faster.”
Barker (25-1.16 KOs), whose only professional loss was to Sergio Martinez in Atlantic City in October 2011, has been making similarly bullish statements.
“I feel I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been at any time in my career and I’m more confident than ever,” Barker said on his website.
He was hoping to maintain Britain’s recent sporting ascendancy over Australia.
“England are doing well against the Aussies in the Ashes series and, following the recent British and Irish Lions test series victory, I fully intend to carry on the success that we Brits have had against our old rivals from down under,” Barker said.
Geale felt Barker may be taking him for granted and said he liked it when opponents treated him in that fashion.
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.