IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale has insisted that he will win the mental battle when he faces British challenger Darren Barker in Atlantic City on Saturday night.

Geale is favourite to overcome Barker, and the Australian believes that his opponent will still be feeling the effects of his loss to Sergio Martinez in 2011.

The 32-year-old told AAP: "My mental strategy, and the ability to break him down is going to be very important.

"He claims that he is a different fighter since the Sergio Martinez fight, but there's probably still something lingering in the back of his mind. Coming into late in the fight, that's always going to be there.

"I know that they are my best rounds and if I don't catch him early, which I'm confident that I may be able to do, then I know with those last few rounds, when the pressure starts coming on, it's going to suit me a lot better."

Both fighters go into the fight with just one loss on their records.