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IBF middleweight boxing world champion Daniel Geale says the mental side will be important as he tries to break down British challenger Darren Barker in the Australian’s first fight in the United States.
Geale, 32, (29-1, 15 KOs) will make the fifth defence of his title when he faces third-ranked Barker, 31, (25-1, 16 KOs) at the Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City on Sunday afternoon (AEST).
Both men weighed in the same, just below the middleweight limit.
The Australian is the betting favourite for the fight, but the taller Barker is considered a dangerous and legitimate challenger.
A victory would potentially catapult Geale into lucrative fights in the glamorous middleweight division, which also includes Argentina’s celebrated WBC champion Sergio Martinez and Kazakhstan’s big-hitting WBA title holder Gennady Golovkin.
“There are real big names and real substantial amounts of money for Daniel to make,” said Geale’s American promoter Gary Shaw.
A laid back Geale isn’t stressing about trying to impress influential American fight figures and power brokers.
“I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself where I need to go out and impress and be devastating or anything like that,’ Geale told AAP .
“I’m going to be myself however way it goes and we do have a lot of confidence that we will get the job done in a good fashion.”
Barker is a rangy fighter, who will enjoy a six centimetre height advantage over the champion.
“I’ve fought plenty of guys that are taller than me and I actually enjoy it,” Geale said.
Barker will be motivated by the desire to honour the memory of his dead brother Gary, who was killed in a car accident in 2006. His one loss was an 11th round KO by Martinez in Atlantic City in October 2011.
“My mental strategy and the ability to break him down is going to be very important,’ Geale said.
“He claims he’s a different fighter since the Sergio Martinez fight, but there’s still probably something lingering in the back of his mind.
“Coming into late in the fight, that’s always going to be there.
” I know they are my best rounds and if I don’t catch him early, which I’m confident I may be able to do, then I know with those last few rounds, when the pressure starts coming on, it’s going to suit me a lot batter.”
Trainer Graham Shaw doesn’t want Geale to rely on his trademark surge in the closing rounds.
“We’ve got to stay busy, stay smart,” Shaw told AAP.
“Everyone is saying Daniel will come home stronger at the end, I don’t look at it like that.
“Daniel will be strong throughout the 12 rounds.”
The undercard also includes a bout between Australian featherweight Joel Brunker, top 15 rated by all four major organisations, and American Mike Oliver, who recently lost a points decision to former IBF champion Billy Dib.
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