A strong Daniel Geale has never shed tears in the ring, but out of it the three-time world champion is again left fighting back sorrow.
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Busy homeschooling each of his four children during a pandemic is masking what's hurting inside Geale's gut.
The Launceston boxer had to deal with the sad loss of his dad all the while in isolation.
A lengthy health battle had cost Wayne 'Cowboy' Geale his colourful life as pockets of COVID-19 had broken out alarmingly back in March.
"It was definitely a very tough time period," he told Main Event boxing podcast.
"I had been trying to travel back home to Tasmania to spend as much time with him as I could, but he wasn't very well.
"Unfortunately, he passed away back in Tassie."
Two months have nearly passed since mourning over the death and the pain has not come close to subsiding.
Unlike the five losses from a career of 36 professional fights as arguably the best Australian boxer of his era and undoubtedly its greatest middleweight, Geale is just looking for final closure.
Regrettably because strict government restrictions limited only 10 people attending during coronavirus, a fitting final farewell was not given out to his dad in Launceston.
None of the few punches he has copped to the canvas has hurt this much.
Geale said there are plans in place to finally honour his memory in a belated service.
"He was cremated, so we hadn't been able to have a funeral or anything like that at this stage," Geale said.
"I have been speaking to a few people about it and hopefully when all this stuff settles down, I will head back to Tassie for it.
"He knew a lot of people in Tasmania that want to come and pay their respects."
But the final bell on the life of Wayne Geale that had rung out peacefully at Launceston General Hospital was one to celebrate even before taking his final breaths.
Amid all of the personal heartbreak, the boy from the heart of Rocherlea could still afford to crack a smile at the expense of his dad.
The man, who was larger than life, almost picked his own time to go out.
Just one last glance at the news and the sight of the ongoing pandemic was going to be more than enough.
The Cowboy was saddling up to roll into the sunset.
"My dad tried to make a bit of light on the subject in the end, but it was still very tough on us," Geale said.
"Dad loved a beer and he loved to have a good time.
"So I guess it was kind of fitting that the day my dad passed away was the day that the government closed the pubs and clubs.
"Everybody thought it was fitting dad wouldn't want to fight on anymore after they had closed the pubs on him."
When the former IBF middleweight, IBO middleweight and WBA super middleweight champion thinks of memories of his dad, he can not think of anything but a path towards pugilism.
It certainly would change Geale's fortunes from a shy indigenous talent forever.
Out went footy. Out went cricket. Out went tennis.
That shyness at least would evapourate inside the square circle with gloves strapped firmly onto his hands.
"I was kinda a good size for a nine-year-old," Geale said.
"[I was] not overly big, but I probably had a couple of kilos to lose, I think.
"He had offered that sort of opportunity to me.
"He asked me did I want to go to the local boxing gym because I was playing a bit of sport at the time as well.
"I thought I'd give it a try and the first couple of sessions he had to motivate me and drag me along to the training sessions.
"After those couple of sessions, I absolutely loved it.
"From then on I was a pain in the butt, always telling him it was time to go to training."
The lasting memories were diametrically opposite to his last of his mum's passing.
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Michelle Geale's battle with cancer took a toll on her son nearly four years ago.
Trying to head off a run of recent losses, the hometown hero was back to Launceston to resurrect his career.
Renato Quinlan was on the rise, but Geale overlooked what was coming ahead.
The loss in the early rounds only made sense years later.
"My last fight I probably shouldn't have taken that at that moment," Geale said.
"Looking back on it now, I probably needed a little bit more time.
"I didn't realise but I thought I was right after my mum passed away then.
"I was preparing for the fight, then mum passed away and we postponed the fight.
"Then we made the fight happen, I don't know, six months later, or maybe eight.
"I thought I was okay at that stage, but looking back at it I know I wasn't training like I should have been.
"I guess I had a lot of stuff on my mind so my focus wasn't exactly where I needed it to be.
"If I had a chance again I would have hopefully found a way to recognise that and get on top of that."
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