Q & A with Daniel Geale This Sunday Daniel “The Real Deal” Geale 23-1(14) will take on Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator The Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush in New South Wales. It’s been 18 months since Geale 29, fought Anthony Mundine in a fight that showed even in defeat that he deserves to be mention up there with the top 160 pounder’s on the planet. Since then Geale has won two fights to set up this fight with former Light Middleweight champion Karmazin, with the winner becoming Sebastian Sylvester’s mandatory challenger. He is also currently ranked 11 by the WBO & 6 with the Ring magazine. Hello Daniel, welcome to 15rounds.com Hi, Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator. What are your thoughts on that fight? What do you expect Karmazin to bring to the fight? Daniel Geale – It is going to be a great fight, great for me to step up and mix it with these guys at the top and great for boxing fans to watch. With his style and mine, it is going to be one tought fight. Karmazin has alot of experience with the top guys so he will be trying to capitalize on that. Anson Wainwright – In his last fight Karmazin drew with Sebastian Sylvester for Sylvester’s IBF Middleweight title. What were your thoughts on that fight? Daniel Geale – Everyone knows how tough it is to get a decision in Germany against a German, so I say he should have won that fight but I am glad that things have turned out this way because it is a great opportunity for me. Anson Wainwright – Who is part of Team Geale who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at? Daniel Geale – Team Geale…… I train out of Grange Old School Boxing Gym, my trainer is Graham Shaw, my manager is Bill Treacy and my Promoter is Garrie Francisco, a great team that are working hard to get me to the top. Anson Wainwright – To date your biggest fight was against Anthony Mundine when you lost a razor thin split decision. Looking back on that fight what are your thoughts on it now? Daniel Geale – Looking back over the tape, I still believe that I did enough to get the decision against Mundine, it was a great fight and no matter what the outcome, it was a stepping stone for me and I am moving forward to fight the best guys in the world while Mundine is fighting easier fights, not even fighting guys in the top 20! Team Geale are onto bigger fish and he can chase me if he is “MAN” enough. Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Tasmania, did you have the typical hard upbringing that many boxers have? Daniel Geale – I grew up in a tough area, I wasnt handed everything on a silver platter, my family worked hard to give me the opportunities I had. I have great parents that have always been supportive of me in all areas of my life. My love for boxing has helped me with self discipline, confidence and I believe, has kept me from making the wrong decisions as an adolescent. Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing? Daniel Geale – My Dad introduced me to boxing at nine years old, I had been involved in martial arts and other sports but from my very first training session I was addicted. Anson Wainwright – You had a very good amateur career that saw you fight at the 2000 Commonwealth games winning gold and then representing Australia at the 2002 Olympics what can you tell us about that? Can you tell us what else you achieved in your amateur career? Also what was your final record? Daniel Geale – I had a great Amateur Career……I had around 165 fights for 135 wins, I represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and I won a Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. I won a gold medal at the Acropolis Cup in Greece in 2001 and a bronze in 2003. I was 5 time Australian Champion and 2 time Oceana Champion. Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite Boxer growing up? Daniel Geale – I dont have one in particular as I had so many as a kid. Jeff fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, and the list goes on. Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your hobbies & Interests? What other sports do you follow and what teams do you support? Daniel Geale – At the moment I am learning to play the guitar and enjoy a round of golf in my spare time. I follow AFL, NRL and my teams are Collingwood and Wests Tigers. Anson Wainwright – The Middleweight division has several top fighters where do you feel you fit into it? What do you think of the current champions WBC Martinez, WBA Sturm, IBF Sylvester & WBO Pirog? Daniel Geale – At the moment I feel I am as strong and ready for anyone in the world, I am ready for my next step, after Karmazin, I want all of the above mentioned fights. Anson Wainwright – Do you have a nickname? Daniel Geale – The Real Deal. Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of this fight? Daniel Geale – Like my promo ad says for this fight….this IS my time and I am going to make the most of it. I am willing to take it to these guys that are the Champions and bring some Titles back to Australia and give boxing fans the fights they deserve to see. Thanks for your time Daniel Thank you Best Wishes Anson Wainwright 15rounds.com.