Daniel Geale

Daniel Geale goes pro tomorrow night - Australia's best amateur boxer launching a career that could grow as great as Jimmy Carruthers'.

The Tasmanian amateur welterweight (69kg) will scale close to middleweight (72.5) on debut at Southport Sharks against southpaw Dan Bellert (16-11), who's held Queensland State pro titles at two weights.

In 13 years pro, Bellert felt the lash of other Australian amateur champions - Justin Rowsell, Stefan Scriggins, the wonderboy Cliff Samardin.
Last start, Bellert was outpointed by Matt Burns who began this year a Class A Amateur.

Geale, Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games gold, is training at Fenech's alongside Danny Green. "I'm learning so much," he enthused. "I watch how Greenie generates power."

A dandy slipper of punches, Geale will benefit boxing without a headguard.

If this bout runs the full six threes and he's breathing easy, Gealey can anticipate 10-rounds, opening on to a trail like those blazed by Green, Fenech and Carruthers.