By Adrian Warren

Australia's Daniel Geale lost the IBF middleweight boxing title to Englishman Darren Barker on a 12-round split points decision in Atlantic City. Geale came within a split second of winning the fight as Barker barely beat the count in the sixth after being dropped by a left hand body shot.

One judge scored the fight 114-113 to Geale, while the other two had Barker ahead 114-113 and 116-111.

Barker outworked Geale over the closing rounds, though Geale clearly won the 12th. Geale lost for just the second time in 31 professional fights. Geale is renowned for being dominant over the closing rounds, but it was Barker who finished the stronger apart from the last. Geale scored well with some right hands, but Barker was often able to land first.

"I thought I won. I'm not going to whinge and cry and carry on," Geale said. "The thing is it didn't go my way tonight, I'm very disappointed, don't get me wrong. I worked so hard for that, and put everything into that. I hurt him throughout the fight. I want a rematch."