- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Daniel Geale’s international experience is paying big dividends as he prepares for his debut in the United States.
Geale’s fifth IBF middleweight title defence, against Englishman Darren Barker in Atlantic City on Saturday night (Sunday pm AEST), is his coming out party on boxing’s biggest stage.
But if he’s feeling any nerves, his knowledgeable promoter Gary Shaw can’t detect them.
Shaw said Geale’s debut on American pay-for-view network HBO added extra pressure, but the 32-year-old from Launceston is ice cool as he prepares to fight before an expected capacity crowd of 5000 at Revel Casino Hotel.
“To Daniel’s credit he’s a very relaxed fighter,” Shaw said.
“We took him over to Germany twice. He beat two Germans on their soil and won two world titles, so he’s not like a deer in the headlights, he’s relaxed.
“He’s taking his normal routine, nothing is different.”
Geale’s trainer Graham Shaw said: “Gary Shaw can’t believe how relaxed he is.”
Former European champion Barker will not have his trainer Tony Sims in his corner due to a visa problem.
But Geale will meet a foe driven by a deep desire to dedicate the title to the memory of his brother Gary, who was killed in a car accident in 2006 at the age of 19.
“He was better, than me, he was a very talented boxer,” 31-year-old Londoner Barker told AFP.
“I nearly quit after Gary died. I didn’t want to go near the gym after it happened because we did everything together.
“It took me a long time to get the motivation back to get back into the ring but ever since I did, he’s been in the ring with me.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that through me doing well, his name lives on.
“I will think of Gary in those final moments in the changing room.
“Winning this title would be for him. I badly, badly, want to win this fight and dedicate it to my brother.”
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.