Mundine 'not bragging' before Geale bout

Usually it is what Anthony Mundine says that stirs interest ahead of his fights.
But IBO world middleweight champion Daniel Geale believed it was what "The Man" had
not uttered that was worth noting in the build-up to Wednesday night's bout in
Brisbane.
Mundine has made a habit of trash talking his rivals ahead of fights in the past.
But the two-time world champion has gone out of his way to be complimentary of Geale
in a low-key countdown - for Mundine, anyway.
Maybe it is due to Geale's record - he is unbeaten as a professional (21-0, 13 by
knockout).
Or the fact that Mundine is preparing for only his second fight as a middleweight,
at 33.
Either way, a pleasantly surprised Geale, 28, has taken it as a compliment.
"I expected the build-up to be pretty interesting - well, you expect anything when
it comes to Mundine," Geale told AAP.
"He usually brags about things. But he has been a little quiet.
"He has shown me a lot of respect. I take confidence from that - it is a bit of a
compliment."
Mundine later countered: "I have been as boisterous as I can be.
"I told you I am going to win, I told you I am the best - what else do you want me
to say?"
Geale - a Sydney-based Tasmanian - has been dubbed "The Real Deal".
But he has redefined the term "quietly confident" in the fight build-up.
The softly-spoken Geale appears to be the antithesis of Mundine, "switching off" at
press conferences when his opponent morphs into "The Man".
At one stage in the build-up, Geale was asked what he thought of Mundine's confidence.
"Sorry, I wasn't listening. I was just looking around thinking 'what a nice venue
this is'," Geale said.
But Geale is still expecting the unexpected on Wednesday night.
"He is still pretty confident. He wouldn't have taken the fight unless he thought he
was going to beat me," Geale said.
"I guess there are plenty around that believe that too - but I am confident."
Mundine did not rule out an early end to their 12-round bout.
"It could be the second, it could be the third, but I am not worried about the
knockout," he said.
"I know it can come if I hit him right.
"I have just got to be relaxed, just find my rhythm, but I won't go looking for it
(knockout)."
Geale said: "I don't like making predictions.
"In my mind I am prepared to do 12 of the hardest rounds of my life.
"If it stops early I will take that."
Despite Mundine's bravado, Geale could find some chinks in his armour.
Geale had 160 amateur fights - including a 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medal win -
before turning pro.
"His first love was footy, mine was boxing," Geale said.
"His (lack of) boxing experience may make a difference.
"And he's coming down in weight so I will be testing out his endurance."
But Mundine countered: "It (background) makes no difference.
"I am seasoned now.
"I have come along in leaps and bounds.
"That's why I am so extraordinary - I may not have the background but I am the best."
Meanwhile, Mundine played down an ongoing hip complaint.
"It hampered my running regime, but I pushed through the pain barrier," Mundine said.
"Sometimes it causes me pain when I run for long periods but in the ring it is not a
problem.
"Whatever situation I am in, I will overcome - that is why I am the best."