Geale pips Sylvester in split decision

Australia's Daniel Geale lived up to his nickname of 'the real deal', as he took the IBF middleweight world title from Sebastian Sylvester, with a 12-round split decision win in Neubrandenburg, Germany.

Sydney-based Tasmanian Geale maintained a high work rate throughout the fight.

American judge Steve Epstein scored the fight 118-110 to Geale and Britain's Marcus McDonnell gave it 118-112 to the Australian.

Danish official Berit Andreasen saw the fight very differently, scoring it 118-110 to Sylvester.

Neither man was floored in a very tactical fight.

Geale delivered on his pre-fight promise to produce a high work rate, pushing the pace and throwing a lot of punches.

While he didn't always hit the target, he appeared busier than the champion.

Sylvester, who was making the fourth defence of his title, worked well off a stiff left jab and found the mark with some right hand power punches.

Geale finished well in the 11th and 12th rounds.

The 30-year-old Australian joined a stellar list of fighters who have held the belt, including Bernard Hopkins, Michael Nunn, Marvin Hagler and Roy Jones Jr.

Geale improved his record to 25-1, while Sylvester's dropped to 34-4-1.