Toowoomba boxer wins Australian title.
BOXING: Star Toowoomba boxer Steven Spark delivered the Australian boxing fraternity another stunning reminder of his emergence and a subtle swipe to its dwindling band of doubters after wrapping up another devastating victory Saturday night at Rumours International.
Spark racked up his ninth career win with a round-one TKO victory over Brisbane’s James MacDonald to claim the vacant International Boxing Federation Australasian Super Lightweight championship.
The fight was stopped after just 2 minutes and 57 seconds with MacDonald outclassed and battered on the ropes before the referee called a halt to the contest.
MacDonald is from the coveted Stretton Boxing Club gym where he is prepared by Glenn Rushton.
But on Saturday night he had no answer to Spark’s power, speed and precision punching.
The MacDonald camp was also left to reflect on some prefight taunts where it was suggested Spark had previously fought only “bums”.
The jibe is a boxing cliche and one as old as boxing itself, but it wasn’t lost on Spark in his victory speech.
“I just want to say to James MacDonald and his team, in the lead-up to this fight – no disrespect in saying this – but in saying that I’ve fought bums,” Spark said.
“I’ve never fought a bum in my life.
“I’ve done the hard work. “I’m working my way up the ladder and I guess now I can say you’re a bum on my list.
“I’ve put my heart and soul into this and for someone to come out and say that is very disrespectful.”
Spark is now zeroing on a world top-15 ranking with a growing hunger to bring another world title back to the Garden City.
Stanthorpe’s Chris Brackin and Indian visitor Balkar Singh turned on one of the night’s most entertaining and punishing bouts.
The two stood toe-to-toe for four rounds unloading plenty of heavy blows before Brackin eventually took the contest in a unanimous points decision.
Singh showed courage to finish the bout after receiving two standing eight counts as Brackin’s heavy punching continued taking its toll.
The win takes Brackin’s pro record to eight undefeated wins.
Other Toowoomba winners on the pro card included Gav Hornery and Billy Holland while Jaydii Kalambe fought out a draw.