Spark vows to fight back after ‘title fight farce’ in Mexico

MEXICAN ROBBERY: Toowoomba boxer Steve Spark says he was robbed of win on Sunday and the boxing world supports him. Now he is demanding a change so fighters like him are not at the mercy of a system that can shatter their dreams.

Steve Spark of Australia punches Gabriel Gollaz of Mexico. Picture: Getty Images

Boxing since the age of 12, Steve Spark has taken plenty of hits and more than a few have rocked him to the core.

No punch however has rocked the Toowoomba fighter like the blow two Mexican judges delivered on Sunday.

Spark went to war with Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in Guadalajara, Mexico and boxing fans the world over confidently expected his hand to be raised in victory.

However, hometown hero Valenzuela won by split decision 96-93, 95-94 (Spark), 95-94.

“I won that fight, I know it and the boxing world knows it,” Spark said.

“I haven’t seen a single person, post or comment anywhere that says anything other than that.

“I was robbed. It (the result) stinks of corruption.

“The terms of the fight were agreed.

“There was meant to be neutral judges, two Americans and a Canadian, but at the last minute they took out the two Americans and replaced them with two Mexicans.

“We didn’t know about the change until just before the fight and it was so late they read out the wrong names during the fight announcement.

“You take losses, lots of fighters focus on the 0 (zero career defeats) but that’s not me.

“I can’t take this one though. I feel cheated.”

Thankfully for Spark, he wasn’t completely cheated.

Less than 24 hours before his clash with Valenzuela the title fight stipulation was taken off the table.

“Somehow I’ve kept my WBA (Inter-Continental Super Lightweight) and it won’t effect my world ranking too much,” Spark said.

“In among all the rubbish that went on it ended up not being a title fight.”

Steve Spark of Australia punches Gabriel Gollaz of Mexico during the fight for the WBA Inter-Continental Super Light title. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking to The Chronicle during a brief lay-over in Los Angeles before he flies home, Spark said the ‘boxing system’ must change.

Spark believes if the system doesn’t change young boxers like himself will be unwilling to take risks and chase their dreams.

“My team and I sacrificed a lot to prepare for this fight – the biggest fight of my career,” he said.

“I was away from my family and close friends for six weeks.

“Brendon (Smith) and I make a fantastic team and we left nothing on the table preparing for this fight but it was all for nothing.

“This result isn’t just about me.

“I like to think we were proving to other boxers what happens when you put in the hard work, when you make the sacrifices and you take the hard fights.

“Why would anyone take the risk now, why would they put themselves on the line, when there’s every chance they’re just going to get screwed over, cheated out of a win.”

Fortunately there is a light of sorts at the end of the tunnel for Spark.

Despite the loss Spark will retain his WBA title and he has the backing of legendary boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

“This is a speed bump for me,” Spark said.

“It goes down as a loss and that is upsetting but ultimately it doesn’t change anything.

“I will fight for and win a world title.

“We’ve spoken to Eddie Hearn and he’s still in my corner, he said I’m an exciting fighter and would love to see me headline a card in Australia one day and we (Spark and his team) will do everything we can to make that happen.