THE CHAMP IS STILL HERE
Toowoomba boxer retains title with stunning KO victory
BOXING: For a fighter that doesn’t “look for the knockout”, Steve Spark is fast developing a reputation as a boxer with awesome stopping power.
Defending his IBF Australasian Super Lightweight title in his home gym, Spark stopped Michael Whitehead with a devastating combination late in the fourth round to retain his belt on Saturday night.
“He (Whitehead) was coming here to win, but there was no way I was letting him take my title away from me and Toowoomba,” Spark said.
“I’m really happy with what we’ve achieved.
“To defend my title at home is special and I can’t thank all the fans here in Toowoomba enough for everything they’ve done to support me, the gym and my team.”
After a cagey opening two minutes Spark showed exactly what he is capable of – flooring Whitehead with a powerful and precise combination as the seconds ticked down in the round.
“I felt his power early and I knew I had to be patient,” Spark said.
“I needed to wait for my opportunity and it came when I knocked him down in the first round.”
Stunned by the knockdown, Whitehead started the second with more aggression and Spark answered with precision.
“We came into this fight with a plan and we stuck to it,” Spark said.
“I wanted to show people what I’m capable of, that I can go the distance, that I get better the longer the fight goes. And I did that.”
Nothing separated the two fighters in round three and the start of round before Spark sealed his title defence.
“I think I’m the hardest hitting (super) lightweight in the country,” Spark said of his fourth KO combination.
“I’ve got precision, power and speed – the skills that will help me keep this title for a long time.”