Daniel Geale Returns in February, Will Face Osumanu Adama

by Scott Christ on Dec 21, 2011 9:21 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Daniel Geale will return on February 29 in Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

IBF middleweight titleholder Daniel Geale will return to the ring on February 29 in Australia, facing Osumanu Adama.

You might expect a bit about Geale breaking his promises and facing another soft challenger, but two things: First, at least this one has an explanation, as Adama (20-2, 15 KO) is the IBF mandatory challenger due to his October 7 whooping of faded veteran Roman Karmazin.

And second, it's tough to not feel good for Adama, a rugged guy who can fight and is exactly the sort of fighter who doesn't really get opportunities. The 30-year-old Ghanaian, based in Miami, was given the shaft in an eight-round decision loss to Don George in 2010, and his only other loss came in 2009 to Dyah Davis, another pretty good fighter, and that was right when Adama started to transition into being a full-time fighter.

Unless he pulls the upset and makes it count, this is probably going to be the only chance Adama ever gets at a title.

And it's just not that bad of a fight. Geale (26-1, 15 KO) is taking a better fight here than he did against a game but overmatched Eromosele Albert in August, and I guess the biggest thing is it's hard to pretend to be surprised. Geale said he wasn't going to hostage a belt at home, but of course he was. This is just sort of the way it was always going to be. I expect Geale will take a shot only when he's established at home to the point that he can't really lose value by going on the road and taking a genuine risk.

Maybe it's just the Christmas spirit flowing through my veins, but I'm not going to argue with this fight. It beats some of the gunk they're putting on TV over here.

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Comments

I know this is the wrong place to bring this up, but speaking of what’s coming up in the middleweight division, did I hear Proksa and Zbik are preparing for a fight? Is that a done deal? Is it signed? If so, I positively love that fight. It’s exactly what I had been hoping for: top 10 middleweights fighting each other.
Sorry for the gross offtopic, I promise to keep my comments for the post announcing that fight, if it ever happens.

As for Geale, I too expected him to take easier bouts and I am always in favour of mandatory challengers getting their shot. The IBF is the one body that really stands up for lower level hard working fighters. If a fighter has done a lot of good work off-radar, you can never count on a TV station or a big promoter to give them their shot, but you can sometimes be surprised by a sanctioning body sticking up for them, especially the IBF.

by Radu on Dec 21, 2011 10:22 AM EST reply actions

I’ve read Zbik is the mandatory challenger to Proksa’s Euro title, and talks are going on for a fight in Germany.

But no signed deal.

by DPlainview on Dec 21, 2011 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

Indeed it’s hard to blame him. Geale Pirog was pitched aggressively to both premium networks, with apparently no interest. It’s understandable: it’s a good fight, but TV dates are at a premium, and it’s no PWill-Ishida or Chavez Jr-Manfredo.

by HamzaWanderaWRSCO on Dec 21, 2011 1:24 PM EST reply actions