By Chris LaBate

Middleweight contender Daniel Geale (24-1, 15KOs) is not worried about the factual statistics of Australian boxers losing in Germany. He challenges IBF champion Sebastian Sylvester (34-3-1, 16 KOs) in the German boxer's home state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on May 7. He wants to stay relaxed, focused and plans to dominate the rounds from start to finish. Geale believes if the rounds are close, he won't be able to win a decision.

"I'm a pretty relaxed guy so I'm not going to let it bother me too much. Just focus in on myself and make sure I get the job done. He's a guy with a lot of experience, he's got a lot of rounds under his belt, he's been the distance plenty of times," Geale said told AAP. "He's a stayer, he knows how to survive, but also knows how to rack up the points and has a great jab as well. It's a huge step for us, but I've been there in the amateurs, I've fought plenty of fights internationally."

"I have to be definitely convincing against this guy because if it's close I know I'm not going to get the decision. I have to have a high work rate. I have to be scoring as well, I can't just be throwing punches and hitting nothing, I have to be very accurate."