By Rick Reeno

Gary Shaw, the American promoter for IBF/WBA middleweight champion Daniel Geale (28-1, 15KOs), admits he was shocked when German superstar Felix Sturm (37-3-2, 16KOs) refused to have a rematch clause in their fight contract. On Saturday night at the Koenig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Geale ended the long reign of Sturm with a twelve round split decision. It was the first loss for Sturm since 2006.

"We offered Sturm a rematch clause and he turned it down. That's how sure he was of beating Geale. I believe Geale is one of the most underrated fighters in boxing," Shaw told BoxingScene.com.

The WBA has ordered Geale, the super champion at middleweight, to face hard-puncher Gennady Golovkin (24-0, 21KOs), who holds the organization's "regular" title and also the IBO's version of the middleweight crown. According to the WBA, the fight has to take place by early December.

Shaw already advised BoxingScene that Geale is not going to avoid a fight with Golovkin.

"We are not going to run from Golovkin or anyone else. I will have no problem at all making a fight with Tom Loeffler and K2 [Promotions]," Shaw said.