Boxers take on SEAL challenge

Toowoomba boxers prepare for 48-hour challenge

READY TO RUN: Toowoomba boxers Billy Holland (left) and Steve Spark will take on the 4x4x48 Challenge created by retired United States Navy SEAL David Goggins this weekend.

BOXING : Running is a staple part of every boxer’s training regime.

Boxers build stamina for gruelling fights by pounding the pavement and finishing the week with more than 20km under the belt is a fairly standard achievement.

This Friday night two Toowoomba boxers, Steve Spark and Billy Holland, will hit the road for a challenge that will rival the toughest fights the pair has seen.

Spark and Holland have signed up for the 4x4x48 Challenge.

Created by retired United States Navy SEAL David Goggins, the pair will run four miles (6.4km), every four hours, for 48 hours.

“I have seen quite a few boxers on social media take up the challenge,” Spark said.

“It inspired me to have a go and Billy (Holland) jumped on board to have a go as well.

“Running is part of boxing and when I’m training I’d normally do 25-35km in a week, mixing it up between sprint and long distance sessions on top of boxing sessions every afternoon.

“This (challenge) is going to be next level though.

“We start Friday at 8pm and by the time we’re finished Sunday afternoon we will have done 78km.”

Despite the enormity of the task ahead, Holland, like Spark, is keen to lace up his boots.

“I’m actually really looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough but I am up for it.

“A lot of people are doing it tough right now, so if we can do this and inspire a few people that’s great.

“We’re not expecting people to go out and do what we’re doing but if they do something to improve their own health that’s good.

“Mental and physical health is really important in times like these.”

Like Holland, Spark hopes to inspire others to take action.

“I have my personal goals right now,” Spark said.

“I want to make sure that when this (COVID-19 restrictions) is all over that I’m ready to get back into my normal training.

“I want to be back in the ring and in the big fights as soon as possible.

“This is also about health and inspiring others as well though.

“Hopefully us doing this will inspire others to do something for themselves, take a bit of action, get out there to improve their health.”

Using the Holland’s house as a starting point, the pair will vary their running routes in line with social distancing rules.

Originally published as