By Aus-Boxing.com

RENOLD Quinlan told anyone who would listen that he would make a statement in Launceston.

Those who were unfamiliar with his intentions are very much aware now after the hard-hitting Indigenous prospect scored an upset that will perhaps go unrivalled for some time, knocking out former unified middleweight champion Daniel Geale (now 31-5, 16 KOs) in two rounds at the Silverdome Basketball Stadium and spoiling his homecoming in the process.

Quinlan (now 11-1, 7 KOs) caught a confident Geale, who boxed intelligently early, with a short hook behind a crisp jab as the Tasmanian eased towards the ropes. The 35-year-old Geale fell heavily, landing flat on his back with the support of the ropes aiding his fall.

Geale regained his footing well before the ten count, but was in no state to continue, lumbering across the ring with referee Gary Ingraham catching Geale and wisely calling the fight.

The career-best win should serve as a springboard to bigger fights both domestically and abroad for the recently crowned IBO super middleweight champion. Like his opponent before him, the IBO belt has helped Australian fighters secure marquee opportunities with Geale landing the first of two lucrative fights against Anthony Mundine as an IBO titleholder.

However, if Quinlan’s recent comments are anything to go by, he is looking at far bigger options than the domestic landscape, calling for future opportunities at both super middleweight and middleweight.

“This was a very good night for me,” said Quinlan in a press release issued by No Limit management.

“The fight went exactly to plan, but this is just the beginning. “Now that I have a version of the world title, I’m ready to take on anyone at super middleweight.”

“I’ll even fight the big names at middleweight, Let boxers like Felix Sturm and Badou Jack know that I’m ready or I’ll happily take on GGG. I’m putting the world on notice. I’m ready to be Australia’s next boxing star.”

“I’m in a place where no man will get in my way.”