Soliman, Geale fight expected this year A showdown between world middleweight champion Daniel Geale and No.1 contender Sam Soliman is expected later this year after the IBF ordered both fighters' camps to start negotiations. Geale made a successful fourth defence of his IBF title against compatriot Anthony Mundine last Wednesday before Soliman earned a shot at the Tasmanian when he outpointed former world champion Felix Sturm in Germany on Saturday (AEDT). No deal has yet been made between the Geale and Soliman camps, though Geale, his manager, Bill Treacy and his American-based promoter Gary Shaw will have a phone discussion later this week. "The notification from the IBF to commence negotiations directly (with Soliman's management) only came out at four o'clock this morning," said Garrie Francisco a member of Geale's management team on Tuesday. At this point in time we haven't heard boo from Soliman's camp, we haven't even made step one on the ladder of negotiations. It is understood the IBF want the Geale-Soliman fight to take place within 90 days. However, the Geale camp wouldn't guarantee the fight would happen within the stipulated time, especially if they received a more lucrative offer. "We're happy to fight Sam when it suits us," Francisco said. Sam Soliman is a great bloke, he's been around for a long time. If someone offered Daniel big dollars for a unification, you would obviously consider that as well, but Geale will fight Sam sometime this year. Soliman was considered a long-shot to topple the highly-rated Sturm on his home turf, particularly after a round two knock-down thanks to a potent right hand from the German. But Soliman said after that he "fired up" and his frantic work-rate and awkward style wore Sturm down over the last three rounds. "What he's done in his career and what I've done in mine, we don't need that build-up," he said.