Our Experts Decide: Geale vs. Fletcher & Carr vs. Quinlan

 
TONIGHT from the Hordern Pavilion, Australian fight fans will be spoilt for choice with another stacked card presented by Grange Old School Boxing, headlined by the fascinating clash of styles presented by former unified world champion Daniel Geale and former world title challenger Jarrod Fletcher.

 
The jam-packed bill boasts three title fights, with the main title support being the mouth-watering match up between undefeated super middleweights Jake Carr and Renold Quinlan.

 
Aus-Boxing spoke to a group of industry insiders and got their thoughts on who they thought would win tonight and why.

 
 
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 8-6

 
Geale UD 12 Fletcher: This is the least animosity I have ever experienced between two fighters during fight week. The pair are friends and sparring partners, and seem incapable of a cross word between them but the reality is that both of them have their boxing future on the line in this fight.

 
They will both box, and work hard – throwing plenty of punches, and entertaining the Hordern Pavilion crowd. The weight of big fight experience and his edge in boxing class is what leads me to select Geale. Fletcher is a dynamic and impressive Aussie fighter but he doesn’t have scalps like Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester on his record.

 
Carr UD 10 Quinlan: This could easily be the ‘fight of the night’ on what looms as a sensational evening of boxing. Both fighters are undefeated in eight career bouts, and meet in an oft-postponed, highly-anticipated event with Carr’s Australian Title on the line. Quinlan proved in his points victory over Joseph Kwadjo that he has genuine talent beyond his experience, plus he can punch.

 
However, Carr has the more refined technique and has the benefit of regular sparring with Daniel Geale plus impressive wins over Zac Awad and Serge Yannick on his record. Quinlan is not without a chance but Carr’s boxing style leads me to expect him to score a decision victory.

 
 

Adam Wilcock, Manager/Promoter – Record: 9-5
 
Fletcher W 12 Geale: Whilst I’ll happily admit to being completely biased, here’s my justification. Jarrod is bigger, stronger and faster. That said Jarrod can’t turn this into a ‘amateur style’ boxing fight. He’s got to get in behind a hard jab and work hard, similar to the Bursak fight.

 
A good jab with a high work rate and Jarrod wins. I can’t help thinking back to their last fights. Jarrod was stopped against Jacobs, but was pleading with the referee to continue. Geale got up early in the count when put down by GGG, but clearly told the referee he didn’t want to continue when asked. There may be something in that.

 
Carr W 10 Quinlan: Jake has the better record and is probably the better boxer. Quinlan has great skills and a good chin, but over the ten round distance against a boxer who’ll keep the fight at range, I’m not sure he has enough. But fight could really go either way.

 
 

Brendan Bourke, Manager/Agent – Record: 9-3

 

Geale UD 12 Fletcher: A great fight for Aussie boxing with two of our best middleweights going head-to-head. I know Fletcher is going great guns and as the underdog he will rise to the occasion, however, I’m going with the experience of Geale to edge Fletcher in a close fight.

 
Carr UD 10 Quinlan: This is another great fight and another hard fight to pick. I’m tipping Carr to outwork Quinlan but this will also be a very close fight and could go either way.

 
 

Sam Labruna, Trainer- Record: 9-3

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: I’m looking forward to this fight. This is a good match up between two Aussie fighters, this is a must win for Daniel Geale, no if’s or buts. No disrespect to Fletcher but Geale will be too seasoned and will have too much experience.

 
On the other hand these guys have sparred lots of rounds and Fletcher must of seen something he likes, it will be interesting. But I’m going for Geale.

 
Quinlan W 10 Carr: We have another great match up in Carr vs. Quinlan, which in my opinion, will be a very interesting fight that will be fought at a fast pace with both boys not wanting to lose their unbeaten records. This is a hard fight to call, but I’m leaning towards Quinlan in a very close fight.

 
 

Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 9-4

 

Geale TKO Fletcher: Geale vs Fletcher is a great Aussie fight and a great spectacle for the Australian supporters but thats where it falls, so to speak. This fight is what a lot of people have asked for but I’m not so sure it will live up to expectation, this is said with total respect to both camps.

 
Geale is too many streets ahead on the international scene and I think Geale will win very clearly on points or maybe even a stoppage on cuts.

 
Quinlan W 10 Carr: This fight should be a cracker. I think both fighters have bright futures ahead of them but they both come from different pedigrees. We have the pressure fighter vs. the boxer, one with high work-rate and the other with power. I’m tipping the upset and I think Quinlan will surprise a lot of people.

 
 

Barry Michael, Promoter – Record: 2-2

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: I think Geale wins, he has a lot more top level professional experience. I think it most likely goes the distance with Geale winning a unanimous decision.

 
 

Ty Colman, Promoter – Record: 2-1

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: The experience and level of opponents Geale has been in with of recently, compared to Jarrod’s, will play a huge part in this fight. Geale feels at home with the big fights.

 
Don’t get me wrong – what a fight – hats off to Garrie and the team for putting it together. It’s exciting to see Australia’s top billed boxers mixing it up.

 
 

Billy Hussein, Trainer – Record: 9-2

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: Daniel Geale should win via unanimous decision. Daniel and Jarrod are great friends but I don’t see it having any effect on the fight.

 
I see Daniel being too busy and accurate over twelve rounds, with Jarrod not far behind on the score cards, but a clear win to Daniel.

 
Carr W 10 Quinlan: A top match up in a pick ’em fight, but I just favour Carr on points in a very hard fight.

 
 

Jeff Fenech, Trainer – Record: 0-2

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: This is a great matchup. I think there’s only one winner and that’s Daniel Geale. He has too much experience at a much higher level.

 
 

Dino Billinghurst, Trainer – Record: 1-1

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: It’s great to see to top-class Australian boxers putting it all on the line.

 
Geale and Fletcher know each other’s style very well but with Geales added experience at international level, makes him favourite to win on points taking into account that Daniel needs to rebound after his loss to GGG.

 
Carr TKO 10 Quinlan: This fight is a tough one, also with two of our most promising boxers meeting head-to-head, well done boys.

 
Quinlan’s speed is a factor but Carr’s fitness, aggression with added experience may be a factor in the end. I think maybe Quinlan has taken this fight 2-3 fights too soon and loses by a referee stoppage in the championship rounds.

 
 

Matt Clark, Manager – Record: 7-2

 
Geale W 12 Fletcher: It’s a very good domestic fight and one I look forward to watching. It’s a crossroads battle and I’m not sure where the loser goes to from here. I think Geale’s work rate will see him beat Fletcher on points in a competitive fight.

 
The only question mark is about Geale coming off that knockout to Golovkin. If he can put that behind him I think he’ll be victorious.

 
Carr W 10 Quinlan: I think it’s hard to look past Jake Carr here. He’s a busy fighter and I fancy him to win a decision against a game Quinlan who’ll have his moments during the contest.

 
 
George Reno, Trainer – Record: 8-2

 
Geale TKO 10 Fletcher: With both boys coming off losses, this should make a great fight, although both are not noted punchers. I believe Geale win this either late round stoppage or points.

 
Quinlan W 10 Carr: I might be biased here because I’m working Renold’s corner, but I think Quinlan wins. He will rise to the occasion – it’s going to be a tough fight – but we have a plan, I just hope it works out.

 
 

Billy Dib, former IBF featherweight champion – Record: 4-3

 

Geale W 12 Fletcher: My opinion is that Daniel Geale will shut Fletcher out big on the score cards and quite possibly score a knockout late in the fight. I’ve watched the pair spar endless rounds in the amateur days, with Geale always getting the better of Fletcher.

 
I feel that Geale has developed a lot better as a professional and I expect that to show on Wednesday night. Congratulations to both men for putting it all on the line, it’s a cross roads fight for both combatants.

 
Quinlan W 10 Carr: That is a very difficult fight to pick, both are very talented individuals in their own right. It is hard to decide as both are in the early stages of their blossoming careers.

 
Whoever can implement the better plan will win. In my heart, I hope Quinlan wins he has impressed me in some of his previous fights.

 
 

Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 8-5

 

Geale TKO 8 Fletcher: I believe Geale will be the stronger boxer in this fight and I think he will break Fletcher down, possibly within eight rounds.

 

Carr UD 10 Quinlan: I think Carr will win, he has better basic skills and a much better defence. Quinlan is strong but I think Carr will win over the distance and retain his title.

 
 

Dan Smart, columnist – Record: Debut

 
Geale KO 10 Fletcher: This is a fight where I dread picking a winner, both are great guys and a real credit to Australian boxing. Jarrod’s defence has come into question of late and I know he’s been working very hard to tighten that up.

 
It will be also interesting to see how Daniel responds to the first knockout loss of his career and whether he’s been able to overcome that mental battle. With all that said Daniel is a high volume puncher and I just feel that might overwhelm Jarrod come later rounds.

 
Carr UD 10 Quinlan: This will be a great fight between two undefeated up-and-comers who show potential in spades. Carr has stepped up in each fight against strong opposition and has come through with flying colours.

 
Quinlan has done well with a limited amateur background and shows some raw talent for the game. To me, if Quinlan has any chance, he needs to keep the fight long. I just feel that Carr has fought the better opposition in Yannick, Awad and more recently, Dane Mulivai.

 
Jake has a ring maturity beyond his years and I think this will get it done for him.

 
 
Photo: Getty Images