Do we potentially have a REAL DEAL elite level fighter??

Aside from Mundine and Katsidis who have already been discussed at length.

Considering some of our more recent champion or popular fighters like Shannon Taylor, Paul Briggs, Nader Hamden, Rick Thornberry, Sakio Bika, Ben Rabah, Lovemore N'dou, Gary St Clair, Robbie Peden, Glenn Kelly, the Waters boys and more, have all had chances at certain points in their career, where wins over certain world class opponents or different paths taken to success could have possibly established elite level standing in the eyes of the many in world boxing circles.

Unfortunately, in just about all of these cases our fighters have just fallen short of that international reputation for one reason or another.

Looking at our current local talent it is hard to gauge anything other than their potential based on their performance against, not always great, domestic level competition or early losses like in the case of a green Pittman.

For instance, if all the stars were aligned, I really think Daniel Geale has all the attributes to become an elite level fighter on the world scene. He has a fantastic amateur pedigree with olympic level experience and is now very technically sound. He has great movement and evasive skills, proven power, seems to adapt to most styles and most importantly continues to develop.

From what you have seen and felt watching our local talent and their various styles, characteristics etc, would you consider any of the following to have a chance of becoming an elite level fighter on the world stage and if so why? Willy Kickett, Billy Dib, Jamie Pittman, Lenny Zapp, Jackson Asiku, Geale even Solo and Oganov or any of your own suggestions?? OR will most fall short??

 

Perhaps that's one of the reason's Dib is no longer fighting Linares, too many examples of Aussie fighters not being ready and losing the big fights.

On the other hand you could argue that even in defeat, the Pittman / Katsidis losses, could possibly help their careers due to exposure and experience. This was not the case for the likes of Shannon Taylor or Ben Rabah though, so it's a fine line sometimes.

In this climate, a fighter can't always afford to waste a big opportunity when they are not exactly coming thick and fast. It's tough financially for Aussie boxers and you wouldn't necessarily begrudge them the chance to earn big dollars even at the risk of damaging their careers.

There's alot to be said for good management too, which I believe someone like Geale has.

 

I never saw the Comer knock down but he obviously recovered well enough. I saw the Gonzales and Oti ones and they were more flash knock downs more than anything else.

He definitely lost confidence though, particulary after Gonzales, you could see it in his movement mostly as he def seemed more tentative, he still he won his next 5 or so fights quite convincingly, though it was expected of him to KO those opponents and when he didn't people jumped off him a bit. He removed some doubt for me against the big punching Dawson when it seemed his ability to control the distance in the fight frustrated Dawson and his big right never really came into play.

Overall their are some pretty good fighters going around at the moment that earlier in their career had suspect chins or had been knocked down, Cotto for example even DLH was hurt. All Im saying is it's not all bad for Geale in that respect and Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, though your point is valid and I could be proven wrong.

 

I've only got tapes and can't find footage anywhere on youtube or the w.b.v.a site.
I might try and convert the tapes to DVD and then attempt to post it at some stage, ideally during my work hours!!