Blake Caparello handles Luke Sharp, calls for Daniel Geale

 
FRESH off facing his first Australian opponent in four years, former world title challenger Blake Caparello has called for another domestic clash, this time in the shape of former middleweight titleholder Daniel Geale.

 
Caparello, 29, returned to the ring for the second time this year on Wednesday night, comfortably outpointing willing West Australian Luke Sharp over six rounds at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

 
“I thought I went well, it was my second fight at super middleweight,” said Caparello in a post-fight interview.

 
“Luke was a tough opponent and I got the rounds in. He is a top bloke, we’ve had him at our gym before when he was preparing for a fight while back, but inside the ring it’s a different story,”

 
“We are in there to do a job – we both want to win – but outside the ring I have all the respect for Luke.”

 
The former light heavyweight turned world rated super middleweight has spent portions of the year on the road, serving as a sparring partner on separate occasions for Artur Beterbiev and Adonis Stevenson in Canada.

 
Despite missing out on his initial October 17th date with former world title challenger Andre Dirrell, Caparello (now 22-1-1, 6 KOs) insists the change of opponent to Sharp (now 13-3-3, 6 KOs) was a non-issue.

 
“It has been a long camp as I was in Canada for month with Adonis Stevenson,” Caparello recalled.

 
“I then planned to fight Andre Dirrell and he pulled out. So that added a couple more weeks onto the camp before we secured this fight.”

 
“It really didn’t affect my preparation too much as I was up and going – but I did peak back for October 17th against Dirrell – I then had to taper down once it was off and get ready to go again in three weeks,”

 
“I just had to refocus, get a new game plan out, moving from southpaw to an orthodox opponent.”

 
“But in the end it was an easy transition and worth it now I have the win, I’m just happy. It was a good hit-out and I was keen to get back into the ring, as it was only my second fight this year,”

 
“I had two great camps though. Sometimes the camps are better than a fight,”

 
“I had one with Artur Beterbiev and one with Adonis Stevenson – both for a month – which were two quality camps. Apparently Dirrell’s team are still keen; hopefully we can get it over the line, it’s a fight I still want.”

 
And while the Greenvale-based southpaw isn’t holding this breath when it comes to the rescheduling of a fight with Dirrell, Caparello has his sights set on a fight with the soon-to-be super middleweight Daniel Geale.

 
“I’ve been told Daniel Geale is apparently moving up to super middleweight. I can tell you that’s a fight I’m really keen for. He says I’m unconventional, this and that, but I’m ready.”

 
“If he wants a fight, call my trainer or my manager. We’ll take the fight, no dramas.”

 
 
Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images Asia Pacific