June 6th at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York will host the return to action of WBC World middleweight champion Miguel Cotto(39-4, 32KO’s). After a twelve-month hiatus following his capture of the title against Sergio Martinez in Madison Square Garden.
His opponent on the night will be former two-time middleweight titlist Daniel Geale(31-3, 16KO’s). Geale, who is back at the top level following a unanimous decision over Jarrod Fletcher in December. Fletcher was a comeback fight after a jarring third round TKO loss at the hands of WBA Super Champ Gennady Golovkin last July.
The bout has been made at a catchweight of 157 .lb., three pounds below the official middleweight limit at the behest of the defending champion. This speaks to the unusual predicament Cotto finds himself in as an undersized fighter in this division, but luckily for him he has the status to dictate clauses like this into a contract for his own advantage. Geale had to consent if he wanted another crack at a belt and at thirty-four years old was probably right too.
During a workout at the Mendez Boxing Gym, Geale spoke to media about the fight on Saturday. What he expects to find and what he plans to do once he’s in there with the only Puerto-Rican four-weight world champion in history.
“Cotto has trouble in stages against guys that move and use their reach. He knows that’s what I’m going to be doing, and he’s going to be trying to counter that with aggression and coming forward. I’m going to use my abilities and not get caught up in his game plan.”
The most glaring example of Cotto’s trouble with dealing with such an approach came in 2012 against southpaw boxer Austin Trout, who thoroughly outclassed Cotto with a decisive display of jabbing and counterpunching on the back foot. Suffice to say Cotto has avoided anyone with similar credentials ever since.
Whether Geale can put together a similar display against a seemingly rejuvenated Cotto, who has flourished in his two fights under the guidance of trainer Freddie Roach, remains to be seen. He says he is determined to do so.
“The game plan is to go in and fight my fight. It’s not to get sucked in. It’s not to get caught up in what he [Cotto] is doing. It’s to do what I do best.”
Geale is known for his engine and activity as well as a fleet-footed style. Geale was surprisingly out-hustled by Darren Barker two years ago when the British stylist engaged him on the inside and lost the fight and his belt via split decision. If Barker, a patient pot-shooter by trade- managed to do that. Then the signs do not look good for Geale if Cotto (who’s inside game can be absolutely brutal) manages to achieve the same tactical victory.
Geale knows the calibre of fighter he is in against and well aware of the occasion, but as a seasoned campaigner himself who has already faced the colossus of the division in Golovkin. Geale may well be able to arrive in the ring loose and relaxed. If that happens, even with the inconvenient catchweight scenario, we could well see him frustrate a Cotto who will likely still be the smaller man on the night.
“This is going to be a huge fight for me. Fighting a guy like Miguel, who’s fought some of the greatest fighters is going to be a great test. We’re going in very confident.”
