Boxing Result: Geale Wins IBF By Split Decision Over Sylvester In Germany

Big fight card tonight from Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg as Daniel Geale knocked off reigning IBF middleweight ruler Sebastian Sylvester after a thrilling bout.

Geale, a former undefeated IBO ruler until losing a controversial split decision to Anthony Mundine two years ago, put his height and reach advantage to good use, keeping Sylvester from taking control in the early frames.

Sylvester found his form in the middle rounds, getting inside Geale's jab and landing short shots but the champion could not sustain his successes.

The challenger made adjustments and became much more difficult to hit while working counter combinations behind the jab, taking the later rounds.

When the scores were read, Geale won two cards by margins of 118-110 and 118-112 while Sylvester won the third card 118-110, resulting in a split decision verdict for Geale.

Geale wins the IBF middleweight title, raising his record to 25-1 (15). Sylvester's reign of three defenses is over and his CV now stands at 34-4-1 (16).

On the undercard, reigning European light heavy kingpin Danny McIntosh, 13-2 (7), was unseated in his first defense by ex-WBO super middle challenger Eduard Gutknecht, 21-1 (9), who outclassed McIntosh before producing a stoppage at 1:28 of the eighth.

Former European super middle champion Karo Murat, 24-1 (14), annexed the vacant IBF Intercontinental light heavy strap by stopping Otis Griffin, 23-8-2 (9), at 2:59 of the 11th frame.

Cruiserweight Enad Licina, 20-3 (11), bounced back from a failed IBF title bid against Steve Cunningham in February by knocking out Michele De Meo, 13-5 (4), in the first round of a mismatch.