By Chris LaBate
With only thirty seconds remaining in the twelfth and final round, Australia's Daniel Geale secured a shot at the IBF middleweight by stopping former junior middleweight champion Roman Karmazin at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. The bout was a final eliminator.
Geale (24-1, 15KOs) had control for most of the fight and it was a high-tempo encounter as both wanted to earn a shot at the title, but the war of wills began to wear Karmazin down as he couldn't keep up with Geale's high pace. Karmazin was getting very tired in the late rounds and a barrage of punches in the final minute prompted American referee Patrick Russell to finally call the fight.
At the time of the stoppage, all three American judges had it 106-103, 108-101 and 109-101 for Geale. Karmazin, who was cut under the left eye from a clash of heads in the sixth round, falls to (40-4-2, 26KOs).
Geale has now earned a shot at Sebastian Sylvester (34-3-1, 16KOs), who retained his title on Saturday in Germany with a twelve round decision over Mahir Oral.
"Going to Germany, I don't care where, it (the world title) is coming down here," Geale said. I said I will fight the best, and he (Karmazin) is the first I've taken down, now we are looking for the next victim."
