Daniel Geale intends to pursue million-dollar paydays in the US and Europe after successfully defending his IBF middleweight world title against Ghanaian Osumanu Adama in Hobart with a unanimous points decision.
Demonstrating that he truly is “The Real Deal,” Geale emerged victorious from a tactical battle, marking his second successful title defense since winning from Sebastian Sylvester in Germany last year.
At 31 years old, he had promised to quell the claims of his US-based rival and delivered with a score of 117-111, 115-113, 118-110.
Geale acknowledged the opponent who had referred to him as a “ballet dancer” leading up to the bout.
“He put the pressure on me, and I had to respond by pressing forward against him,” Geale remarked.
“I demonstrated how we do things here in Tasmania.”
Ready to advance in his career, Geale sees fighting overseas as the most sensible next step.
“We need to prepare for the toughest challenges,” he stated.
“Our plan is to head overseas, take on the best in the world, and bring those titles back home.”
Also achieving success, Australia’s Billy Dib defended his IBF featherweight world title after Mexican challenger Eduardo Escobedo withdrew from the fight following the sixth round in Hobart.
Escobedo had derisively labeled Dib a “little pussy” prior to the match, but Dib maintained a relentless assault, launching a barrage of punches in the fifth and sixth rounds until Escobedo’s team declared the fight over.
Dib had knocked Escobedo down in the first round, which resulted from a low blow, earning him admonishment from the referee due to multiple infractions.
Undeterred, Dib joyously celebrated with his fans post-victory.
The 26-year-old, known as ‘Billy the Kid,’ secured his 14th consecutive win in his second title defense, having first claimed it last year against Mexican Jorge Lacierva.
His current record stands at 34-1.
Eager to make a mark in the high-profile double-header alongside fellow Australian Daniel Geale, Dib expressed his intention to head back to the US for lucrative fights.
“I’m focused on facing the best,” he declared.
“I’m ready to head to America now.”
“Making history is my goal,” he asserted.
His management team is pursuing a potential bout with the victor of this weekend’s WBO title re-match between Puerto Rico’s Juan Manuel Lopez and Mexico’s Orlando Salido.
In other news, veteran Australian Kali Meehan lost his IBF pan-Pacific heavyweight title after his corner threw in the towel during the sixth round of his fight against American Travis Walker.
by Buford Balony
