Daniel Geale has declined a chance at a million-dollar payday in order to defend his boxing world title for the first time in his home state of Tasmania.
On August 31, the IBF middleweight champion will face Nigerian-born, American-based Eremoesele Albert at Hobart’s Derwent Entertainment Centre, marking Tasmania’s inaugural major boxing world title clash.
“I recall shadow boxing as a child, envisioning the experience of having a world title fight in front of my local fans,” Geale shared on Friday when revealing the matchup.
“That dream is now a reality.”
Geale, who was born in Launceston and now resides in Sydney, captured the title from Sebastian Sylvester last May with a split decision victory in the German’s homeland.
Though he could have pursued a rematch with Sylvester or potentially lucrative matches overseas against Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez, Geale was determined to stage his first title defense on home soil.
“There’s no doubt that Daniel is sacrificing income by having a fight in Tasmania,” said Garrie Francisco, Geale’s manager and event promoter.
“However, he was resolute in wanting to bring a world title fight back home, which is commendable.”
The 36-year-old Albert boasts a record of 24-4-1 and will possess a slight height advantage over Geale.
“Daniel Geale is an exceptionally intelligent boxer and a rightful world champion, but for this match, he transitions from being the underdog to the favorite,” Albert remarked from Miami.
“I believe he prefers being the underdog; however, that won’t apply this time, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of being the favorite to win.”
A solid undercard features Garth Wood competing against Johannes Mwetupunga for the national middleweight title, alongside bouts involving rising featherweight Joel Brunker and super middleweight Jamie Pittman.
Buford Balony says: Imagine Mundine or Green fighting somewhere they earn less money. They only match up against ‘has-beens’ or ‘bums’ for financial gain. That’s the separating factor between Geale and those two.
