THE YEAR THAT WAS: Five biggest boxing moments in Toowoomba

BOXING: Fortune favours the brave, and that is exactly what the Toowoomba boxing scene experienced in 2020.

Steven Spark (right) celebrates his latest win with trainer/manager Brendon Smith. Photo: DSL Photography

BOXING: Fortune favours the brave, and that is exactly what the Toowoomba boxing scene experienced in 2020.

The Garden City helped to restart the sport this year, reaping the benefits of a strong card.

We look back at the five biggest moments in Toowoomba boxing in 2020.

5. O’SHEA ON THE REEF

As all eyes turned north for one of the most anticipated fights in Australian boxing history, Toowoomba provided the voice for the spectacle.

James O’Shea was given ring announcing duties for the Jeff Horn vs Tim Tszyu bout in Townsville, giving him a front-row seat to the coronation of Tszyu as the next big thing.

4. BRADY HEADS NORTH

Christian Brady has been quietly going about his work in the ring, and at the end of last year he received the opportunity to add representative honours to his name.

The 17-year-old, fighting out of Brady and Floody’s Gym, was chosen to represent South Queensland in an invitational tournament in Townsville.

The young man is one to keep an eye on.

3. WARWICK TALENT MAKES HIS NAME

Jake Wyllie made the decision to turn pro last year, and he had a flawless start to his career on the big stage.

He made a winning debut in taking down Prasong Wichuma, before impressively stopping Reece McLaren in his second outing.

He’ll be next seen on March 27 in Toowoomba.

2. SPARKS FLY FOR CHAMP

Steven Spark had a disrupted year, with regulations for interstate visitors putting an end to his plans to take on both Terry Tzouramanis and Ty Telford.

It put a dampener on what could’ve been two genuine fight of the year contenders, highlighted after Telford’s showstopping bout with Darragh Foley last month.

Spark didn’t let the disappointments of those fights falling through get to him, taking care of business when he was in the ring.

He finished the year with knockout defeats of Michael Whitehead and Kieran Cronin saw him end 2020 as one of Australia’s highest ranked super lightweight boxers.

1. RETURN TO THE RING

It looked more optimistic than anything else at one stage, but Brendon Smith got the job done, and brought boxing back to Toowoomba.

The Locked Down Lights Up card was the first in Australia since the start of the pandemic.

The night was broadcast to the world with a limited in-person attendance in order to abide by social distancing regulations, with Smithy’s TGW Gym turned into an arena for the night.