IBF SKIPS OVER SOLIMAN TO ALLOW GEALE REVENGE BOUT VS. MUNDINE

Edited Press Release: According to promoter Gary Shaw, the IBF has granted its middleweight champion, Daniel Geale an exception to his mandatory defense requirement, so that Geale (28-1, 15 KOs) can instead face his only conqueror, Anthony Mundine (44-4, 26 KOs). [The mandatory contender, Sam Soliman fought two IBF eliminators and opposed the exception, but the IBF granted it over his objection. No date or venue has been announced for the fight]. "Now that we got the green light from the IBF to make this fight, I'm going to work hard to get everything completed," said promoter Gary Shaw. "This might be the biggest fight in Australian boxing history as both fighters consider this a grudge match." Geale [who also holds the WBA super championship in the 160-pound division] tasted defeat for the first and only time against Mundine back in May of 2009.  Geale lost by split decision and he's now looking to set the record straight. 

"When Mundine and I first fought, I thought my hands were going to be raised after the fight," said Daniel Geale. "It was close but I thought I was the better man that night.  I've always wanted revenge against Anthony, and now  I have the opportunity thanks to my promotional teams Grange Old School Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions."
 
"Bill Treacy and Garrie Francisco have done an outstanding job of leading my team to where I am today, and the addition of international promoter Gary Shaw, was brilliant as you can see by my two wins in Germany.  Team Geale defines the word team."
 
Geale's managers comment on this highly anticipated rematch.
 
"Anthony should go in to hiding, Daniel will embarrass him" said co-manager Garrie Francisco.
 
"It's time for Daniel to put an end to the circus" stated Bill Treacy.  

Mundine is 44-4 over his career, including three wins over Soliman. He's a three time world titlist and is currently riding a four-fight winning streak. He captured the vacant WBA super middleweight belt against Soliman in March of 2007 when he knocked him out in the 9th round. A year later, Mundine was victorious in the rematch winning a 12-round unanimous decision in May of 2008. [He also has a 2001 victory over Soliman].


"This is a fight that all of Australia has wanted to see and I'm glad it has finally come together."  Mundine said. "I always said Daniel would be a world champion if he didn't have to fight me and that has proven to be the case.  People are saying he is the best middleweight in the world, but he is not even the best middleweight in Australia.  I beat him once and I'll do it again."
 
Geale is unbeaten in his last seven bouts and is coming off a triumph over Felix Sturm (37-3-2, 16 KOs)in Sturm's home base of Germany. Geale also dethroned Sebastian Sylvester in Germany in May of 2011.
 
Geale's trainer, Graham Shaw of Grange Old School Boxing, is confident that Daniel will be successful in their rematch with Mundine. "Daniel is fighting at an incredible level these days.  We never look past the next fight and for this bout we will be extremely focused.  In the first fight with Mundine our preparation was solid and I thought we won." said Graham Shaw.  "Since that decision went against us we have moved on and successfully campaigned against the best fighters in the business and I expect Daniel to win the rematch as he has improved 200% and Anthony has not.  Daniel now has two world titles and we will not leave this fight in the hands of the judges."
 
Mundine is trained by his father, Tony, and he believes his son is prime and ready to take on Geale.
 
"Anthony has been working away at junior middleweight but this is a fight that can't be ignored," Anthony's father and trainer Tony Mundine said. "He loves the big fights and I know that when the bell rings for round one, my boy will be ready to go."
 
Both fighters hail from Australia and this long awaited rematch is sure to draw a huge attendance, as the last fight was staged at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Queensland, Australia, and drew over 10,000 fans.
 
The bout between both indigenous Australian fighters, Geale and Mundine, will be available on Pay Per View.  Gary Shaw will be having discussions with Anthony Mundine and Team Geale as to the official host site of this event.