Aussie boxer Stevie Spark has been ‘robbed’ of a world title victory in Mexico
- Australian boxer ‘robbed’ in title fight in Mexico
- Spark lost via split decision to local opponent
- Many fans and pundits thought he had won
Queensland boxer Stevie Spark missed out on the WBA intercontinental super lightweight title in Mexico on Sunday in highly controversial circumstances, with many fight fans insisting he had been ‘robbed’.
Spark appeared on the undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight title fight against John Ryder, taking on local fighter Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela.
The 26-year-old Spark withstood a knockdown and an energetic early strike from the Mexican to recover and regain control of the pulse-pounding ten-rounder.
Despite the knockdown, the Aussie had the better moments in the fight, but the judges saw it differently, awarding the split decision victory to the local fighter (96-93, 94-95, 95-94).
The two judges who scored the fight for Valenzuela were from Mexico, with the remaining judge from Canada.
Stevie Spark (pictured right) has missed out on the WBA intercontinental super lightweight title in highly controversial circumstances
The Toowoomba native was devastated by the result, as were many fans and pundits who thought he had done enough to raise his hand.
Journalist Ben Damon then took to Twitter to write, “Australian Stevie Spark has been robbed by split decision in Mexico. Great fight and great effort from local Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, but despite the knockdown he didn’t win the fight. I had Spark 96-93.”
Twitter account Boxing Kingdom didn’t mince words, writing, “STEVIE SPARK WAS ROBBED IN MEXICO.”
Sportswriter Brendan Bradford was equally outraged by the decision, writing, “Stevie Spark robbed in Mexico. Loses a split decision to Gabriel Gollaz. Boxing is boxing.’
Spark significantly dominated his rival with power punches, landing 176 compared to just 86 for the Mexican – but couldn’t knock him out in the final rounds.
Fans were quick to criticize the judges, accusing them of “home cooking” to the local fighter.
“Obvious robbery,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Some close rounds, but no way did Spark lose six rounds. Fighting in Mexico… just like the Dennis Hogan robbery.”
‘Absolute joke. Feel sorry for Stevie,’ said another.
Many fight fans believed that Sparks (pictured) had done enough to raise his hand
Stevie Spark robbed. Expect nothing less in Mexico. I had to knock him out to get the result – unfortunately you can’t leave it to the judges in Mexico,” a third wrote.
Before the fight, Sparks told the press that he wasn’t worried about fighting in Mexico in front of 50,000 passionate locals.
“At the end of the day, no matter how loud the people are outside, when me and Gabriel Valenzuela are in the ring, it’s just me and him and the referee,” Spark told foxsports.com.au.
‘I don’t really care about the people on the outside.
“Also when you look at the other side I’m the type of fighter when everything is stacked against me and when my back is against the wall I fight better.”
Sunday’s controversial loss drops Spark to 16-3 (14 KOs).