Daniel Geale questions decision

By Boxing News - 08/20/2013 - Comments

geale55By Jose Muradas: Former IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale (29-2,15 KO’s) felt that newly crowned IBF middleweight champion, Darren Barker (26-1, 16 KO’s) did not do enough to strip Geale of his IBF belt on Saturday night in Atlantic City. Geale, told Nick Walash of the The Daily Telegraph an Australian- based newspaper this on Monday.

Geale said “I’m no judge, But I don’t know that Darren (Barker) did enough to take my title tonight. I’m certainly not going to whine because that’s never been my go … but I just don’t know if he did enough.”

I can understand Geale’s frustration, but after watching the fight again, I felt it was Geale who didn’t do enough to hold on to his strap. Geale came out too aggressive in the early rounds, which allowed Barker to step back and land his right hand. Barker also worked the body. Geale did land his right hand, and countered well with his own body shots. However, he was fighting Barker’s fight, not his own.

Geale, who impressed with his power, left his boxing skills at home on Saturday night. Where was the methodical boxer who flustered Felix Strum in their unification bout? Geale or maybe his trainer Gary Shaw felt that going toe- to – toe with Barker was the answer,but it wasn’t.

Yes, Geale did land a crushing body shot in the sixth. However, it was a well- placed blow for a fighter that doesn’t have a Golovkin- like punch. The Australian threw away early rounds by bouncing in towards Barker and trying to land a big punch without setting up a jab. In-fact, Barker threw more jabs than Geale. It was Barker who had the better output of the two.

Rarely, will I be critical of a fighter’s game plan, but I can’t overlook the lack of strategy on Shaw and Geale’s behalf. It’s time for Geale to give Barker his due. Geale fought extremely well and he deserves a rematch. He will have to wait until Barker fights the IBF mandatory challenger Felix Strum, but it’s worth the wait, and I thoroughly expect to see some of Geale’s boxing on display.



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