Team Fletcher talk Jacobs loss, Geale and future fights
REBUILDING off a loss is common practise in boxing.
For some, it’s back to the drawing board as all components of a fighters make up come under the review. In many instances comes a change of trainer – or even a change of management – in some extreme cases, it may be both.
For Jarrod Fletcher, it’s strictly business as usual. The same team, the same mentality and the same goal, becoming the middleweight world champion.
In spite of his most recent setback, a stoppage loss to heavy handed Brooklynite Danny Jacobs last weekend, Fletcher (18-2, 10 KOs) is looking to return to the spotlight sooner rather than later.
There have been several names bandied about for the Queenslander, most notable former unified middleweight titleholder and fellow Australian Daniel Geale. With the dust still settling on their unsuccessful title tilt, Fletcher’s manager Adam Wilcock spoke candidly about both the loss to Jacobs as well as the direction Fletcher is likely to take in his imminent return.
“Jarrod showed massive heart getting through the first round with Jacobs, many lesser boxers would have fallen at that stage,” said Wilcock in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “After that we thought that he battled well to come back into the fight. Many at ringside had him winning both the second and third rounds and he dominated the first two minutes of the fifth too.”
“Credit to Jacobs, he boxed well and when his chance to finish the fight came, he showed the real killer instinct. It was a good stoppage by the referee in our opinion from the corner. Jarrod prepared perfectly – no excuses – he was beaten by the better man on the night.”
“He’ll be back and will fight before the end of the year, either in Australia or US,” Wilcock continued. “There’s limited options here in Australia, with probably only Geale or Sherrington willing to fight him.”
From a general standpoint, the most realistic option in terms of a return fight is one with Daniel Geale (30-3, 16 KOs). Like Fletcher, Geale, 33, is coming off a loss, having been knocked out by unbeaten middleweight sensation Gennady Golovkin a fortnight earlier at Madison Square Garden.
Although they are both coming off high profile losses, in many senses, this is the most logical and perhaps most lucrative fight for both, domestically at least.
“A matchup between Geale and Fletcher is one that makes sense on many levels,” Wilcock explained. “They are coming from similar results, both now need immediate rebuild or bounce-back fights. I’m sure Geale’s camp went into Sunday hoping for a Fletcher win, but came out of it thinking they’d win a possible fight. I know we did similar when Daniel went down to GGG.”
“Both boys showed great heart in chasing and accepting the assignments put in front of them, but ultimately both boys ended on the wrong end of early finishes. Both need an immediate result, so why not fight each other and let’s see who prevails. I know we’d take the fight if it could be worked out.”
“Jarrod is an old school fighter. He’ll fight anyone at any time, and anywhere he’s asked to. As a team we are all on the same page with complete trust. Jarrod will fight Geale anywhere. The fight would be a big one for the Australian boxing public, so there’d be no problem with it being in any of the major cities, or elsewhere.”
Alternatively, there is a local match up potentially on offer against fellow middleweight rival in Townsville product Les Sherrington (34-7, 19 KOs). Although Sherrington is not of the same standard or calibre as Geale, he is a local rival that generates enough interest in his region for a fight with Fletcher to appear viable.
“On a domestic level we’ll fight anyone, so should a possible match up with Les Sherrington become a possibility then we’d look very seriously at it.” Wilcock said. “Same as Geale, the boys are mates and have done many rounds of sparring, but at this stage of their careers the clock is ticking on potential match ups.”
“Queensland boxing has been crying for this fight for years. I’ve spoken to both Brendon Smith and Joe Pennisi about the fight previously, but timing so far hasn’t worked.”
Although at this point it may not be realistic, the only other viable option at middleweight domestically would be IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman. A fight with the Victorian appears unlikely as Soliman plans to unify against Miguel Cotto or Gennady Golovkin – providing he is successful against Jermain Taylor – in his first title defence in October.
“Sam Soliman is rightfully at the top of the Australian tree right now. Would we fight Soliman? Yes, of course. Jarrod wants to fight the best in the world and Sam is in that bracket.” Wilcock continued. “Jarrod’s next fight and opponent will determine the pathway, I’d imagine we’ll look at WBA or WBO. But if Geale’s camp pushed a desire for the IBF so they could chase Soliman, then we’d look at that too.”
“I don’t think we’ll be publicly chasing Sam, we’ve got too much respect for him to do that given both boys last fight results, we’ve got a bit of rebuilding to do before being mentioned in the same sentence as the current IBF champion.”
Wilcock’s promotional company, Fightcard Promotions, is heavily linked with US promotional partner Greg Cohen Promotions, run by it’s namesake Greg Cohen. Cohen is best known for his most recent work with Austin Trout as well as Jarrod Fletcher, having created multiple opportunities for the Queenslander abroad.
Wilcock sees this partnership as a tremendous boost for his boxers and one that he hopes will continue to provide fruitful results for other fighters under his promotional banner, most notably Joel Brunker, Dennis Hogan and Shannon O’Connell.
“I have a great working with Greg Cohen and GCP, with a very exciting announcement coming shortly. That will open doors for the whole Fightcard Promotions team.”
“Having had the last ten days with Greg in the US, we’ve formed a strategic partnership on a number of levels, so there will be opportunities for Jarrod and other boxers in our stable, both in Australia and overseas.”
While the path Fletcher will take in his return is yet to be decided, it goes without saying that Fletcher and his team will be looking for the biggest possible match ups, in both Australia as well as abroad.
“There’s a couple of big names in Australia as mentioned, otherwise we’ll either take Jarrod overseas or look to import quality opponents.”
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