It wasn’t the result he was hoping for, but world-rated junior welterweight Steve ‘The Viking’ Spark 16-2 (14) has come to terms with the fact that his sixth-round disqualification win over previously undefeated American southpaw Montana Love 18-1-1 (9) last November boosted his career more than a knockout ever could.
The 26-year-old from Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia dropped Love in the second frame and the 28-year-old Cleveland, Ohio native was taken entirely out of his game in front of his hometown fans.
Love was cut from an accidental headclash and the sight of his own blood appeared to panic him. After the doctor examined the cut and the bout resumed, Love rushed Spark and pushed him over the top rope and out of the ring with a forearm.
Fortunately for the visitor, he was able to do a somersault and land on his feet. As he climbed back through the ropes with a bemused grin on his face, referee David Fields halted the contest by DQ and awarded Spark the win.
Video of the ending of the fight went viral.
“At first I thought it was a shame, because I was on the way to getting a stoppage,” Spark said to Boxing News. “But then it got a lot of views because of the craziness from Montana; it definitely got my name out there more than even a KO victory would have.”
The result could have been much worse.
“Two metres I’ve been thrown over the ropes,” he said. “Luckily I didn’t land on the concrete on my head or neck. It could have been catastrophic. You have to discourage stuff like that.
“But it was good all these fans got to see I got a knockdown and I showed glimpses that I’m a top-tier fighter. I’m in a good position because of that.”
Now Spark has been given the opportunity to perform on arguably the biggest stage of them all when he face Mexican Gabriel Valenzuela 26-3-1 (16) over 10 rounds on the undercard of undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s homecoming fight against John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder at Estadio Akron in Zapopan in Jalisco, Mexico on Saturday night.
The stadium holds 50,000 and is expected to be a sell out. It will be Alvarez’s first fight in his home country in 12 years.
“Canelo is the face of boxing, so when the opportunity arose, we jumped at it,” Spark said. “We know Gabriel is a hell of a fighter, but it’s the best way to get my name out there and really show the world how good I am.
“All the stars will be there watching. It’s bloody exciting. It’s the kind of opportunity people would kill for. I’ve got it and I’m going to take it with both hands.”
He added: “Fifty thousand Mexicans are going to hate me for knocking out Valenzuela. But they’re going to love my style.”
