AFTER six straight world title fights, Daniel Geale insists he will not lack motivation taking on another rugby league convert in Garth Wood next week.
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The Launceston-born middleweight, whose pro career record of 29-2 has included a win and loss to arch-rival Anthony Mundine, said he wouldn't be taking former South Sydney and Balmain NRL veteran Wood lightly in Sydney on Wednesday?nts?feb19?nte.
``I treat every opponent the same _ I go in and do my job, and I'm looking forward to it,'' Geale said.
``Garth's improved a hell of a lot and pulled off a win over Mundine. He's going to be in your face and make it Leg 1?a difficult fight, and I think it's going to be a great fight.
``I don't take easy fights and I don't expect an easy fight.''
Since an IBF middleweight title eliminator against Roman Karmaz in 2010, all of Geale's fights have had belts on the line, and the 32-year-old from Rocherlea is itching to get his hands back on the IBF crown that he lost six months ago.
Geale sent Darren Barker to the canvas in the sixth ?round in Atlantic City, but the Englishman got back up and went on to win on points.
``My last fight, I did not get the decision, and that set things back a little bit,'' Geale told Fox Sports yesterday.
``Most of my recent fights have been world titles and I've had that pressure on me and I've fought in other countries.''
While many observers see the fight against Wood as a payday before Geale meets WBA champion Gennady Golovkin in April or May, the 35-year-old New South Welshman with a pro record of 12-3-1 remains confident he can cause an upset.
``His experience outweighs me but my want and heart will get me over the ?line. This is everything for me,'' Wood said.
``I've had my best preparation ever. I said I want to go to hell and back, I've finished all my sparring and now this is my favourite part, dropping weight and focusing.''
Wood paid tribute to the former Commonwealth Games champion, but said he had the weapons to win.
``In the last 20 years he's been the best boxer to come out of Australia to be honest, but all that does not really matter when we get in the ring.
``He may have all the experience in the world as an amateur and three world titles, but what he's got in store with me he cannot learn in school and he cannot get a late start.''