Geale On Cloud 9, After Beating Eromosele

He won a world title in Hobart Wednesday night, but all boxing hero Daniel Geale wanted Thursday morning was a big plate of eggs and bacon.

Geale dropped about 10kg over the past five months in the lead-up to his defence of the IBF world middleweight championship against rock-hard Nigerian Eromosele Albert, who lives in Miami, Florida.

The Tasmanian spent 12 gruelling rounds trying to dispatch Albert, eventually winning a unanimous points decision 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.

Having deprived himself of his favourite food for so long, the Tasmanian champion could finally splash out yesterday.

“I was really looking forward to a big breakfast of eggs and bacon,” Geale said.

“My diet is such a massive part of it because I do naturally sit a lot over my fighting weight.

“Sometimes I’m up to 10kg over my fighting weight and I’m always trying to bring my weight down to make weight.”

Geale was sore from his 12-round battle with Eromosele, but in fine spirits after his memorable victory in front of a vocal packed house at the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

Geale improved to 26-1 with his first title defense, less than four months after beating Germany’s Sebastian Sylvester in a split decision for the IBF belt.

The 30-year-old Geale was well ahead on all the judges cards, with Somsak Sirianant scoring it 116-112, Robert Hoyle scoring it 117-111 and Ray Reed giving it to the Australian 119-109.

“I told everyone before that I’m not here to take easy fights. This guy was a tough guy, he gave me a real fight,” Geale said.

“I haven’t had that sort of a crowd before – 5000 people screaming for me,” he said.

“Having a crowd like that is – well hopefully not – a once in a lifetime. It’s a massive experience.

“I’d love to be able to do that again.”

Geale’s next fight is likely to be in Sydney, possibly in December if the broken bone in his hand has healed.

In the meantime, Geale, his wife Sheena, his son Bailey, 6, and daughters Ariyelle, 4, and Lily, 2, will spend the next two weeks holidaying around Tasmania, starting with a few days of relaxation around Hobart.

—Bimbo Ajayi