Top Aussie middleweights Daniel Geale and Jarrod Fletcher go head-to-head at Sydney’s Horden Pavillion. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEDT) as we cover the main event.
Fighter: Daniel Geale
The former IBF and WBA world title holder is coming off a stunning third round loss to Gennady Golovkin in New York.
‘GGG’ put Geale down early in their tussle at Madison Square Garden, absorbing Geale’s shot as the same time as he delivered a devastating knockout blow.
The Aussie got back to his feet but was dazed and did not continue. It was a tough night for Geale who was stepping up to face the man many say is the best fighter on the planet.
With two defeats in his past three fights, including the close loss of his world title to Darren Barker last year, this is a key moment for Geale. At 33 years of age with 30 wins from 33 fights, he has little left to prove.
It will be interesting to see what motivation he has left and how he responds from that one-sided encounter in New York. This is his first fight since the defeat to Golovkin.
Geale and Fletcher have known each other for years, have sparred countless times, so it should be a close fight. The Tasmanian has the edge in experience, particularly with world-class boxers, but apart from that there is little left to separate them.
Fighter: Jarrod Fletcher
Two years younger than Geale, Fletcher had an impressive amateur career but only turned pro five years ago. Since then he has built an 18-2 record, his only defeats coming against England’s Billy Joe Saunders back in 2012 and most recently against American Daniel Jacobs in August.
That loss against Jacobs, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, was for the vacant WBA middleweight crown and the Australian was put down in the fifth round.
Like Geale he will want to rebound strongly after a defeat. The Queenslander won gold at the Commonwealth Games, just like Geale, and was a talented soccer player in his youth.
A win for the supremely fit ‘Left Jab’ over Geale would put him back up the world rankings and in contention for another world title shot. A loss for the 31-year old, currently ranked third in Australia by BoxRec behind Sam Soliman and Geale, would be a big blow.
The match-up
Neither fighter is a particularly big puncher and not known for their knockout percentage. Both are technically strong and athletic types and like to pressure opponents with their work rates.
There is little difference in height and reach, with Fletcher a centremetre taller.
Geale is vastly more experienced, having fought numerous times for world titles and around the globe. How he handles the pressure, as well as his ring smarts, might give him a slight advantage in a fight where each opponent will know their rival’s style intimately.
Prediction: Geale on points in a close bout.
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Riley
Guest
Weird. In GGG vs Geale one of the rounds lasted 4 minutes! Geale must just shake his head sometimes...
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Geale keeps his career alive with a convincing win. While it's a big setback for Fletcher. That's all from me, thanks everyone who tuned in.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Geale: "I'll see where my ranking lies. I want to be fighting for world titles again and I want to be winning world titles again. This is the first step."
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Geale says he would love to fight Miguel Cotto for the WBC strap - that would be some fight
John Davidson
Roar Guru
All three judges have given Geale the victory by the same score. Apart from the first two rounds he was very dominant. Geale pays credit to Fletcher: "He's a skilled athlete. He pushed me, I was a little bit annoyed that I couldn't get that finish. It was right there in front of me and I could smell it but sometimes it goes that way. We do know each other very well and it makes it harder."
John Davidson
Roar Guru
GEALE WINS 119-108
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Geale should win this by 5-7 points.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 12: Geale tries to finish Fletcher off but the Queenslander is staying on his feet. Has shown great heart but he's set for a defeat. Geale showboats a little at the end. One thing Geale lacks is true KO power and Fletcher survives the bell. We go to the cards but it's been 90% Geale tonight. He will get a deserved decision. Surprisingly there has been a fair bit of niggle between two good friends. No embrace at the end.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 11: Geale's corner asking for more "mongrel". That round was only for 2 minutes - what the hell? Timekeeper apparently stuffed up. That's amateur hour. Fletcher will have been pleased though. Geale on his way to a points win.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 10: Fletcher is brave but outclassed. Geale just a level above. Fletcher's legs are shaky but he survives the round. Geale is not a huge puncher so remains to be seen if he can knock him out. Geale is at least six or seven points ahead now. Fletcher will need a KO out of the bag to win this.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 9: Four more rounds to go. Fletcher is hurt after Geale lands a big left. Fletcher on the ropes but Geale can't deliver any more sustained punishment. But it's starting to become one-sided. Fletcher is bleeding from the nose and doesn't have any answers to Geale's combos. Also tiring bound. Another round to Geale, 7-2 in front. Fletcher's trainer tells him he will throw the towel in unless he improves in the next round.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 8: Fletcher starts strongly but Geale roars back. Fletcher knows the fight is slipping from him but Geale quickly asserts his dominance. Fletcher trying to pressure Geale but the former world champion has the slicker combinations. Have to give this round to Geale again, just too good. Geale ahead 6-2.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 7: Geale is the stronger fighter and it is starting to tell. The tape has come off Fletcher's glove so they take a breather midway through the round. It seems to have helped Fletcher, as he bounces back a bit. But Geale still landing the harder punches in my opinion. Geale 5-2.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 6: Fletcher slowing down quickly. Geale upping the ante and in control. His right uppercut is doing some real damage as he finds his combinations. Fletcher on the backfoot and bleeding from the nose. Geale 4-2
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 5: Geale lands a big right but Fletcher shakes it off. Then Geale comes back and Fletcher is down! Fletcher gets back up but Geale tries to finish him off. Geale's right is very dangerous but he can't finish Fletcher off. Great round for the Tasmanian. Geale ahead 3-2.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 4: Geale seems to be waiting a lot to see what Fletcher does, as he has the edge in speed. Fletcher has a small cut near his right eye. Fletcher slips but it's no knockdown. Geale unleashes a lovely uppercut and he takes that round. 2-2
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 3: Geale lifts his work rate. Lands a few tidy shots. Fletcher ends the round with a straight right but Geale has done enough in this one. Round to Geale.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 2: Definitely a crowd behind Geale tonight. But Fletcher doing the best early work. Using his right hand perfectly. The Queensland is looking very confident and composed, his jab is coming into its own. Second round to Fletcher.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Round 1: As expected a wary start, both fighters feeling each other out. They know each other so well so may have to a do a few things differently to snare a win. Geale all feet and movement, Fletcher using his famed left jab. Good start from Fletcher who probably just takes the first round.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
About to kick off now, here comes the bell....