16.09.07 – By Tony Nobbs: Shannan Taylor, Australia’s WBF champion and number one rated boxing middleweight by the ANBF says he is looking ahead to a showdown with the winner of the upcoming Daniel Geale v Daniel Dawson IBO middleweight title fight.
Geale (Aust #1 at 154 lb / 16-0, 11 KO’s) and Dawson (Aust # 2 at 160 lb / 29-0, 20 KO’s) clash on October 12 at the Panthers in Penrith, West Sydney on a Jeff Fenech Fight Night , promoted by the Grange Old School Boxing Gym and Taylor, 34, wants the winner.
Geale, a Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist based in West Sydney last fought in May, out pointing Thailand’s Parkpoom Jangphonak over twelve rounds for the IBF Pan Pacific and IBO Intercontinental titles while Perth WA’s Dawson knocked out Russian Anton Solopov (who beat Miguel Cotto as an amateur) in a single round in a WBA – PABA title title fight on August 31.
“They are both gentleman in and out of the ring and I respect them. I have sparred many rounds with them and we have helped each other prepare for fights. It will be a good fight between them, I wish them both the very best luck” said Taylor (46-6-2, 31 whacks) on Monday. “They have been calling me out, they want to fight me, so let’s do it. I’m a fighter. I want to fight the best in Australia. These young blokes haven’t fought opponents like I have. I’ve been down the road and will be too experienced.”
Taylor won the WBF belt in controversial circumstances when he was declared winner by disqualification over Sonni Michael Angelo, after it was ruled the massive gash on the left side of his head was caused by a deliberate head butt.
“Everyone’s asking what was in his (Angelo’s) hair. It was like a razor.”
Commenting on the decision being reviewed by the WBF he said “Just let me rematch the bloke and knock him out.”