ROUND BY ROUND: DANIEL GEALE OUTPOINTS FELIX STURM TO CAPTURE WBA CHAMPIONSHIP

Moments ago in Germany, Australia’s Daniel Geale captured the WBA middleweight title from home favourite Felix Sturm to add it to his IBF middleweight title.  It was a close fight throughout and the result was decided by a split decision.  Check out FightHype.com’s round by round report.

Luis Pabon is the Referee

Daniel Geale didn’t acknowledge Sturm entrance whatsoever – looked away.

Round 1 - good start by both fighters with Sturm establishing the jab early with neither fighter looking to give up the centre of the ring. Good step up in work rate in the last minute of the round by Geale. Cleaner work by Felix Sturm.

Sturm 10-9

Round 2- Sturm systematically pumps out his double and triple jabs right throughout this round. Clash of heads causes cut behind the ear of Geale. Sturm swinging wildy in final few seconds of round causing reaction from Geale and crowd. Geale defence a bit leaky obliging to come inside too quickly, too often.

Sturm 10-9

Round 3- Sturm again starts quickly with jab forcing Geale backwards. Geale tries to take the fight to Sturm pushing him back, Sturm defence looks very secure and tight. Neither fighter really willing to give up centre of the ring. Geale showing good combinations but all caught on gloves of Sturm. Fight warming up very nicely here. As Geale lands, always eats a counter. Sturm looking very sharp going through the gears. Real effort and variety from Geale on Sturm in final minute pushing the German back into the neutral corner. Looked like the champion was hurt. Just enough work to win the round.

Geale 10-9

Round 4 - Sturm again starts round quickly with stuff jab. Geale seems to take a few seconds to switch on to the round. Very even fight with Geale working the body nicely trying to drop Sturm’s high held guard. Sturm’s corner shout “jab jab jab”. Geale forcing the work on the inside and gets success. Heads getting very close continually. Last ten seconds both fighters swinging for the fences with no real punch success but gets the crowd in raptures.

Sturm 10-9

Round 5 - Sturm getting punches off quicker than Geale, looks like Geale is fighting with a little too much aggression. Great uppercut by Sturm which causes Geale to take a step back. Geale replies with a combination and shows the German he isn’t overawed by the occasion. Both fighters taking small breathers often during this round. Geale’s corner shout “forward forward forward”. Sturm really left his jab in the corner during this round. Slowest round of the contest so far. Sturm ups the work in the last 10 seconds.

Geale 10-9

Round 6 - Geale really popping out his jab during the opening minute. Sturm jab seems a little out of range – maybe a little wary of lead right hand from Geale. Geale much prefers this fight on the inside, Sturm really quiet in this round with the Australian the aggressor. Geale getting to the punch first with Sturm shots being caught on the arms and gloves. Geale looks like he’s enjoying this.

Geale 10-9

Round 7 - Crowd gone quiet in Germany. Geale starting to go through the gears here. Sturm needs to up his work rate. Geale jab really taking over this round as Sturm looks fatigued. Daniel Geale hitting the body in swift combinations and not afraid to lead with right hand. Really intriguing match up. Sturm dabbing his bloody nose. Geale has Sturm against the ropes in neutral corner. Combinations to body and head, body and head. Geale work rate is winning this fight.

Geale 10-9

Round 8 - Sturm starts round with a little more urgency but Geale very game for anything Sturm can bring. Looks like when Geale connects with German it really hurts WBA champion and makes him take a step back. Sturm nose swollen, not surprising as Sturm defence getting more leaky as the fight goes on. Better work from Sturm in this round with counterpunching off the back foot. Best round yet for German.

Sturm 10-9

Round 9 - Wild swings early from “The Real Deal”. Few punches suddenly from Sturm suddenly shake the crowd into life. Both fighters showing each other huge amount of respect. Sturm trying again to get back behind jab with doubles and singles scoring. Pace has really slowed in this round again. Geale needs to up work rate and keep Sturm on back foot. Round could go either way. Sturm wins this round on a homer.

Sturm 10-9

Round 10- Sturm gets the best of opening few exchanges. Sturm jabbing again sending Geale on back foot. Nice left inside from Geale sends Sturm back towards his corner. Geale swings wildy and eats Sturm jab. Geale works well to the body but takes heavy uppercut from Sturm in reply. Geale looking fatigued now. Felix Sturm really looks like he’s old manning Geale out of this round, with more precise and eye catching scoring shots. Geale really giving up on this round.

Sturm 10-9

Round 11 – Geale really needs to win this round, coming in low ducking and weaving trying to avoid Sturm combinations. German seems to have found a second wind in last few rounds. Geale needs to fire, Sturm defence seems more tight than ever during this round. Geale corner screaming at their man to mix it up, gets some success rushing Sturm. Seems when Geale steps it up Sturm is troubled but just not doing it enough. Good body shots and straight right, combinations in last 30 seconds. Geale really upping the pressure, Sturm replies and gains massive raw from the crowd.

Geale 10-9

Round 12 - Can Geale turn in a real championship winning round? Real championship effort from both fighters in last round. This decision really could go either way. Geale more active and with more accurate punches this round but really rocked at the end of the round.

Geale 10-9

Gary’s Scores – 114-114Draw

Scott Smith’s Scores- 115-113 Geale

Actual Scores – 116-112 (Sturm), 116-112 (Geale), 116-112 (Geale). Daniel Geale wins by split-decision.

A real shock as SD victory goes against home fighter Sturm!