Daniel Geale, IBF world champion, is well known as a true gentleman. Today, June 17th, he proved it.
This afternoon he rang the local ABC radio to apologise to two small boys who were waiting to see him at the Launceston airport yesterday. He was rushed and had no time to stop and speak with them. He was obviously upset by this and rang to ask the boys to contact him so that he could meet them and sign whatever they wanted him to sign. He said it was not his normal behaviour to rush past young fans, but circumstances were difficult with flights cancelled and changed because of the Chilean volcano eruption, and he had no choice. He felt bad about it and wanted to make it up to the boys.
Most world figures would not give a hoot. This young gentleman does. Daniel Geale actually cares.
Civic Reception For Local Hero
Daniel Geale is being feted tonight at a civic reception in his honour in Launceston, his home town. Tasmania is very proud of this young man. Geale grew up only streets away from another world identity, cricketer, Ricky Ponting.
In today’s Examiner, journalists Rob Shaw and Phil Edwards said that Geale’s management is working on bringing Geale’s world championship defence fight to Tasmania. There are many choices overseas but Daniel Geale still favours Tasmania. His manager Garrie Franscisco said, “He keeps saying he would like to come home. That’s the kind of guy he is”.
Geale said, “I always said I wanted to have my first world title defence to be in Tasmania and that was my main goal, but whereabouts, I’ll leave that to management”.
Launceston people hope it will be at the Silverdome, where Geale fought last year.
The World Title Fight
The fight will be held in mid to late August, and the opponent is still unknown, but must be ranked inside the IBF top 15. The field is narrowing, led by world No 7, American Peter Manfredo Jr.
A title fight in Tasmania would be telecast around the world, with a potential audience in the millions.
Geale said today, “We’ve spoken to a few different camps and we’ve got one guy in mind. I have to keep pretty quiet but it’s one of the guys ranked in the IBF top 15”.
Gentle Decent Family Man
Daniel Geale is a softly spoken, modest family man, totally dedicated to his very supportive wife, Sheena, and his 3 small children. On his triumphant arrival back in Australia after his world championship win, he expressed surprise at the huge welcome he received. As someone said at the time, “Get behind him Australia, appreciate his skill, courage, talent and humility. He is as rare as the proverbial”.
Daniel Geale is a great ambassador for decency, as two small Tassie boys at Launceston airport yesterday will no doubt vouch.
Heather Donaldson - Heather Donaldson is a writer, a registered nurse with a diploma in nutrition, an interest in natural medicine, animals and environment.
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