What just happened to Stevie Spark? Not so long ago, the Australian rising star was teasing a fight announcement on his social media. He even inked a fight contract for his debut fight in the welterweight division. However, news of his retirement from the sport took over the internet! The Toowoomba resident hasn’t entered the ring since the controversy in his last fight.

Due to what is being called a dubious decision on the judge’s part in his fight against Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in Mexico, Spark lost the fight via split decision. However, could that have convinced the 27-year-old Aussie to hang up his gloves? In a recent interview with Sporting News that was later picked up by iFL TV, the 16-3-0 Aussie reveals all.

Stevie Spark claims he can’t concentrate on boxing

Just a day after he teased his welterweight debut, ‘The Viking’ made the decision to exit the sport due to an arduous recovery from his hand surgery. What’s more, the Queensland native also has a second child on the way, so that might have contributed to his decision to say goodbye to the sport. “Right now, my mind isn’t 100 percent on the boxing, so it’s time for me to take a break, I think,” Spark told Sporting News.

He further added, “I had the hand surgery, and it’s still giving me grief every single day.” Spark claims he was training recently but found it too taxing mentally and physically to keep pushing through the injuries. “This is my second-hand surgery, and I’m just over-pushing through it right now,” Spark confessed. However, ‘The Viking’ hasn’t completely eliminated the chances of him making a comeback to the sport.

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Spark hints at a potential return

Even though he has decided to stay out of the ring for now or forever, the idea of making a comeback to the sweet science isn’t out of the question for the Aussie. He has been involved in the sport for the better part of his life – he started boxing at the tender age of 13 and couldn’t deny a possible return. After all, even Spark claimed it was a difficult decision to make.

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“Who knows, once all the injuries heal and I get a few things out of the way, maybe in a year or two, you never know,” said Spark. However, for now, his intentions for retirement are unwavering. “But for the time being, it’s time to hang them up and focus on a different point of life,” ‘The Viking’ said.

After nine years and nineteen professional bouts, the Australian welterweight is ready to hang up the gloves. However, Spark’s fans will be rooting for a fast recovery – so he can come back to the ring. What did you think of Spar’s surprising exit from the sweet science? 

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