The Main Event Boxing Podcast · Fox Sports Australia

STEVIE SPARK & CHERNEKA JOHNSON - Aussie invasion continues with ’The Viking’ and ’Sugar Neekz’

·43 min

Ben interviews Stevie Spark, Australian boxer preparing to fight Gabriel Golaz Valenzuela on Canelo Alvarez's May 7 undercard in Guadalajara, Mexico. Spark, the outsider fighting a Mexican in front of 50,000 hostile fans, expresses unwavering confidence and belief in his fighting style and preparation. He discusses being part of boxing's biggest card, the pressure of performing in enemy territory, and his recent upset victory over Montana Love despite being thrown out of the ring. Spark credits trainer Brennan Smith with mental preparation and details his three-week training camp in Thailand. The episode also introduces Shanika Johnson, an Australian IBF super bantamweight champion defending her title in the UK. Spark's articulate discussion of athlete psychology—confidence mixed with respect for his opponent, learning from adversity, and mental toughness—makes the interview valuable beyond boxing circles.

As heard by us

Two Australians, two overseas camps, and the stakes stay clear from start to finish.

The Main Event Boxing Podcast keeps its focus on two Australians on the road. Stevie Spark is in Guadalajara, two weeks out from fight week, while Shanika Johnson is in Las Vegas preparing for her world title defence. The strength here is the plainness of it.

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Why you'd press play

Want the camp talk and the stakes before fight night?

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