By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech is confident replacement Steve Spark (12-1, 11 KOs) will be a tougher fight for Tim Tszyu than Michael Zerafa, who pulled out of a July 7 bout with Tszyu at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, NSW televised on Foxtel Main Event Pay-Per-View
“Tim’s in a real fight now!,” said Fenech. “I was in the other corner for Spark’s last fight when he beat Jack Brubaker who I train and I have absolutely no doubt he is a tougher fight for Tim Tszyu than what Michael Zerafa would have been.
“He is a very talented kid and he believes in himself. These are the guys you need to worry about. I’m really excited now – I cannot wait for this fight!”
Steve Spark jumped at the opportunity to challenge Tim Tszyu.
“Outside boxing I do a bit of work at the pub and training people at the gym and I was working at the pub when the phone rang about 11am. Brendon (Smith – Spark’s trainer/manager) said it looked like Zerafa was pulling out and asked how I felt about stepping in. I headed straight over to the gym and we had a quick chat and said ‘let’s do it.’
“I’ve dreamed about fighting Tszyu and obviously this has come a little quicker than I expected but that’s a good thing. I’m fit and I’m coming to Newcastle to win.”
Good luck to him. The last fight was good and boxrec had him fighting in 2 weeks anyway. A bit of a John Ruiz story less the beer belly
I seen Spark in the amateurs and he was a brawler. Haven’t seen him much as a pro tho. Tim wins this inside of 7 rounds.
The article has Spark listed at 12-0. He’s actually 12-1. Lost his second pro fight to somebody by the name of Baishanbo Nasiyiwula in a 4 round majority decision. Hadn’t heard of Spark prior to reading this, and there’s next to nothing of him on YouTube. Hopefully what Fenech said was accurate.
I see 12-1. Unless the typo is somewhere else.
It said 12-0 earlier, but something tells me he’s about to add another loss to the one he already has. Haven’t seen any of his fights though, but guessing an L for him here. Just a gut feeling…
Spark is a tough kid….he is moving up in weight.. Tszyu ..will make it a long night for him or possibly a short night with his technical skills and accuracy…at least we have a fight now.
This is a showcase match against a less skilled opponent out of his depth, but he is eager to shock the world. He won’t.
jeff fenech predictions are a death knell this kid now has no chance LOL
Don’t kid the public Fenech. Spark only recently just moved up from 140 to 147 pounds. Now he is going up to 154pounds to fight the best boxer in Australia. It will be a massacre
There is a word for Jeff Fenech he is a tool
Jeff ,you were a great triple world champion, but your comments of past and future fights and your predictions have been comical !!!
Just watched Spark v Brubacher fight replay….Jeff you are so wrong! Tszyu will annilate him within 5 rounds….the lad nearly got knocked out , defence is woeful . Spark might have the heart of a lion but he is nowhere near Tszyu’s level.