The WBA middleweight champ has knocked out 26 of those opponents in an undefeated pro career, but Geale is confident he represents the Kazakh's toughest test to date.

``He's had a lot of amateur fighters and I will make it very difficult,'' Geale said ahead of their Madison Square Garden showdown on July 26.

``Some of the guys do tend to stand in front of him or are a little bit worried about his power. Against a guy like Golovkin, you can't do that. You can't give him too much respect. You have to go out and fight your fight.

``He has shown he is susceptible to being hit. He drops his guard because he relies on that power. He knows if he hits you, he's going to hurt you.

``In the mean time, if he gets hit with big shots, it's going to hurt him and I do throw a lot of punches.''

The 33-year-old Launceston fighter, who lost his IBF world title to Englishman Darren Barker on his last fight in the US, believes his technique has evolved sufficiently to inflict the 32-year-old Golovkin's first defeat.

``I'm not going out there to be just a challenge, I'm going out there to win.

``If I fight the way I know I can, I can beat him.

``My power is improving and probably has a lot since the Barker fight and that gives me a bit of excitement for July 26.

``I'm going to focus fully on myself because I know I've got the ability to beat him. I just have to go out there and do it.''

Sydney-based father-of-three Geale, who began boxing at Lilydale PCYC and went to Rocherlea and Brooks schools, has lost just twice in his 30 pro fights after a glittering amateur career that included a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002, three Oceania Championships and an appearance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

``I feel I've been peaking for the last year or so. My strength and power have improved. It's all falling into place,'' he said.

``I had a long amateur career and I was never known as a strong puncher. I was more known for my boxing skills.

``I've only been able to hurt people more consistently in the last four or five years and I'm enjoying that part of it. But I won't take away any of my boxing skills.

``Adding that extra power gets me excited, especially when I'm fighting at Madison Square Garden against a guy rated No.1 in the division. That's what it's all about.''

Golovkin and Geale will fight for both the WBA and IBO middleweight titles over 12 rounds next month.