AFTER kicking another rugby convert into touch, Launceston boxer Daniel Geale wasted little time digging for the son of a Russian coal miner.
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No sooner had the former two-time middleweight world champion outclassed compatriot Garth Wood in Sydney on Wednesday night, than he was calling for a showdown with 2004 Olympic silver medallist Gennady Golovkin.
``My ambition is to recapture a world title and bring it back to Australia,'' Geale said.
``I will do whatever it takes to regain my status as the middleweight champion of the world. With Wood out of the way, the doors have opened for other big fights. I believe Gennady Golovkin and I would make for a great fight.
``If HBO can bring that fight to fruition then I'm all for it. Golovkin needs to fight someone of my calibre to be considered elite. The fans deserve a great competitive fight and that's what Golovkin and I bring to the table.''
The 31-year-old Kazakhstan-born battler, whose two older brothers were both killed in action with the Russian army before he had turned 14, won the 2003 world amateur boxing championships and finished his amateur career with a record of just five losses from 350 fights.
Geale recently knocked back a chance to fight Golovkin, the champion with the best KO percentage in boxing, as the bout wouldn't have been shown in Australia.
``I would have fought Golovkin already had there been a [pay-per-view] date, but there was none available. My promoters Gary Shaw and Garrie Francisco believe this fight can happen and that's the direction I want to go.
``The same style I fought against Wood is what I anticipate would be successful against Golovkin. It would be a great fight for the fans.''
Fighting for the first time since losing his IBF world title to Darren Barker last August, Geale had floored Wood three times and was leading 59-52 on two of the judges' cards and 60-51 on the other when the contest was halted in the sixth round.
If the Golovkin fight does not eventuate, Geale is eyeing other attractive match-ups against Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm - WBC and IBF title-holders respectively.
``We will go back and see if we can arrange something, whether it is Golovkin or Sturm, there's even talk about Martinez,'' Geale said.
``They are all there, I'm just waiting for my chance to get in there with them.''
With Golovkin expected to fight on April 26, Geale may not get a crack at him until at least the middle of the year.
Geale's trainer Graham Shaw has no qualms about his man being ready.
``100 per cent, I think Daniel Geale rises to the challenges,'' Shaw said.