Sam Soliman returns home, eyes middleweight unification

 
AUSTRALIA’s latest world champion, IBF middleweight title holder, Sam Soliman, has his sights set on taking on the world’s best in his quest for a world unification title fight.

 
“I’ve achieved a 23 year dream, to become IBF world middleweight champion, now I want to go one better and take on the best of the best.”

 
Team Soliman is currently talking with WBA ‘Super’ middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, recently-crowned WBC middleweight champion Miquel Cotto as well as interim WBA middleweight champion Dmitry Chudinov.

 
“The IBF belt is the prize belt to hold and there is no shortage of offers in my manager’s inbox. It’s all about unification for me, and I have options. I will take time and consult with my team, make a choice and then go to work. That’s how I have done it since 2008, and I don’t plan on changing a winning formula.”

 
“My unanimous points decision over four time world title holder and power puncher Sturm, who took the IBF title from Darren Barker, who had previously taken it from Daniel Geale, confirmed my belief in my ability.”

 
“Sturm and his team threw everything – including the kitchen sink – at us before the fight with the trash talk and their actions. I said all along that it was important for me to keep my composure, to use their words to strengthen my intent, and not to lose focus by giving in to anger.”

 
“This is the same message I’m lucky enough to get the chance to give to young men through the Department of Justice’s Choices program, where we talk about the importance of thinking before you act, and the consequences of violent actions.”

 
“I tell them that if you have a dream, you can make it happen. That was something I learnt from football great Tommy Hafey, which is why I dedicated my win to him.”

 
 
Photo: Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images