Geale seals the deal
Tasmania's Daniel Geale punches Felix Sturm, of Germany, during their WBA and IBF middleweight world championship fight in Oberhausen, Germany. Picture: GETTYTASMANIA'S Daniel Geale has added Felix Sturm's WBA middleweight Super title to his IBF crown with a 12-round split decision points win in Oberhausen, Germany.
The win elevates Geale into the top echelon of world boxing and creates a piece of Australian boxing history.
British official Dave Parris and South African Stanley Christodoulou both scored the unification fight 116-112 in Geale's favour, while American judge Eugene Grant had Sturm ahead 116-112.
Tasmanian-born but Sydney-based Geale became the first Australian-born boxer to unify two globally recognised titles in the same division.
It was an absorbing strategic contest between two accomplished technicians.
Sturm worked well off the jab in the early rounds, but Geale asserted himself more in the middle and latter rounds.
The Australian did better in the inside exchanges, while Sturm's best work was done on the outside.
Geale, 31, suffered a cut near his left ear early in the fight, but it wasn't a factor.
He mounted sustained pressure for the first time in the third round and was particularly strong in the sixth and seventh.
Sturm dug deep in the latter rounds, but Geale shaded him in work rate and power punches.
Geale, who was making the third defence of his IBF title, improved his overall record to 28-1, 15 KOs.
Sturm, 33, who was unbeaten in his last 14 fights over six years, dropped a points decision in Germany for the first time, with his log now reading 37-3-2, 16 KOs.
The win elevates Geale into the top echelon of world boxing and creates a piece of Australian boxing history.
British official Dave Parris and South African Stanley Christodoulou both scored the unification fight 116-112 in Geale's favour, while American judge Eugene Grant had Sturm ahead 116-112.
Tasmanian-born but Sydney-based Geale became the first Australian-born boxer to unify two globally recognised titles in the same division.
It was an absorbing strategic contest between two accomplished technicians.
Sturm worked well off the jab in the early rounds, but Geale asserted himself more in the middle and latter rounds.
The Australian did better in the inside exchanges, while Sturm's best work was done on the outside.
Geale, 31, suffered a cut near his left ear early in the fight, but it wasn't a factor.
He mounted sustained pressure for the first time in the third round and was particularly strong in the sixth and seventh.
Sturm dug deep in the latter rounds, but Geale shaded him in work rate and power punches.
Geale, who was making the third defence of his IBF title, improved his overall record to 28-1, 15 KOs.
Sturm, 33, who was unbeaten in his last 14 fights over six years, dropped a points decision in Germany for the first time, with his log now reading 37-3-2, 16 KOs.
Daniel Geale of Australia celebrates after winning his WBA and IBF middleweight world championship fight in Germany overnight. Picture: GETTYToday's Top Stories
Geale seals the deal | Southbound' Inc
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