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In a demonstration proving the results of a hard training camp and hard work in the ring had paid off, Daniel Geale retained the International Boxing Federation Middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over number one ranked challenger Osumanu Adama of Ghana at Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Scoring was 117-111, 118-110, and 115-113, all for Geale.
The bout had originally been scheduled for Ghana, but promoter Wasfi Tolaymat of Chicago Fight Club Promotions, in an exclusive interview with SaddoBoxing before the bout, explained the business people he had been dealing with in Ghana did not want to yield on the pay-per-view rights and other financial considerations, forcing the bout to be taken back to Australia. Had the bout been held in Osumanu Adama’s home country, “the outcome would certainly have favored our fighter.”
According to Tolaymat, Adama’s manager, promoter Gary Shaw rescheduled the bout for Australia but pushed the calendar date back to allow more time to promote the event. Tolaymat’s contract did not provide Adama with a share of the pay-per-view revenue. The bout was broadcast on three pay-per-view outlets: in Australia, AUSTAR and Foxiel Optus; and in New Zealand on SkyTV New Zealand.
Gary Shaw Productions versus WBC Boxing Internet Site Free Stream Controversy
The Adama-Geale bout almost got broadcast by WBC Boxing for free in the United States and around the world, but when Shaw found out, the free stream was cut before the scheduled 2:30 A.M. start on March 7, 2012, Eastern Standard Time.
To clarify the situation, the supposed live ‘free’ webcast, which was scheduled to show Geale versus Adama for free around the world was against the agreement of Gary Shaw Productions, forcing the stream to be cut off in the United States and on the WBCBOXING.TV website.
Promoter Gary Shaw later stated, “The World Boxing Council has violated the agreement that was set in place (by attempting) to show the stream live in the U.S. for free. Because the WBC (had) opened up the feed to the world, GSP had to kill the signal. The WBC website was only given permission to stream the feed in the U.S. The opening of the signal to the world created problems. On behalf of Gary Shaw Productions, we apologize for the confusion.”
Despite ‘stoush talk’ by Adama’s trainer Joseph Awinongya at the prefight press conference, in the end, Adama could not outclass Geale. Geale had to take this fight to the inside immediately and go to work, and just did win this bout by outpointing Adama, scoring effective body punches and jabs on the inside.
Adama had height and reach advantage, but failed to contain Geale. Unfortunately, Adama, who was knocked down in each of his two losses, allowed Geale to dictate the tempo of the fight. Unable to hurt Geale or knock him out, Adama’s only hope was a win on the scorecards. Geale was the busier boxer and won the bout on the punch count.
Geale overcame a small cut over his left eye and came forward at Adama all night, with heart, applying constant pressure and seizing the tempo of the bout. Geale, who earlier acknowledged studying footage of previous fights of Adama, had clearly done his homework. And Adama, who boasted he did not bother to watch previous fights of Geale and accused Geale of being nothing but a slapper, fought the bout backing up. The bout was billed “It’s war!” but it evolved as anything but.
In a minor upset on the undercard, American Heavyweight Travis Walker stopped veteran Australian Kali Meehan, 41, in the sixth round of a scheduled 12 to win the IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight title, when the Meehan corner threw in the towel.
Result: Daniel Geale Win 12 Osumanu Adama, Middleweights
Retains IBF World Middleweight title
Geale now ranked fourth in the world by Boxrec
Scoring: 118-110, 117-111, 115-113 for Geale
Referee: Jack Reiss
IBF Supervisor: Ray Wheatley
Undercard Bouts
Travis Walker TKO 6 Kali Meehan, Heavyweights (corner threw in the towel)
Wins Vacant IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight Title
Billy Dib Win Referee’s Technical Decision 6 Eduardo Escobedo (3:00)
Retains IBF World Featherweight Title
Alex Ahtong Win 6 Steve Maxwell, Light Welterweights
Corey McConnell Win 6 Robert Leno, Super Featherweights
Steve Lovett TKO 6 Frank Ciampa, Light Heavyweights (1:29)
