Tag Archives: Gigi Jackson

Women’s Boxing: Sonya Lamonakis to fight on 8/20!

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>>>UPDATE>>>

In her usual crowd pleasing fashion Sonya Lamonakis made it an even 6-0 with her win over Tiffany Woodard.  Capturing a majority decision, the judges scored the bout  59-55, 58-56, 57-57 with Woodard the clear aggressor in the early rounds of their six-round bout.

Women’s Boxing: Sonya Lamonakis to fight on 8/20!

Gleason’s own and Harlem Academy’s favorite middle school teacher, Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis (5-0, 1-KO) will be looking to make her record a perfect 6-0 when she takes on Tiffany Woodard (4-4-1, 3-KO’s) at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 20th.

The fight is part of DiBella Entertainment’s popular “Broadway Boxing” series and will feature Edwin Rodriguez (18-0, 13-KO’s) in the Main Event.

Sonya is excited about facing Tiffany again and as she put it, “Hey…yeah…she’s a good fighter…she’s been my toughest fight so far. But I’ve been training hard and I got something new for her.”

Returning to the scene of her first professional victory on June 24, 2010 against Kasondra Hardnette, Massachusetts native (and Greek born) Lamonakis, is itching for a heavyweight title bout. She is currently ranked 2nd in the U.S. heavyweight rankings and 4th in the world.

The fight at Mechanics Hall marks Sonya’s return to the ring after handily defeating Gigi Jackson (2-2) at Foxwoods Resort on April 16th. Lamonakis had hoped her decisive win would put her in line for a title shot against then heavyweight WIBA title holder and Global Boxing Union title holder, Gwendolyn O’Neil, however, a fight was not in the offing and O’Neil has since seen her titles stripped for failure to compete.

The hope is that DiBella Entertainment’s Lou DiBella will be successful in putting together an all-female card at Madison Square Garden featuring Sonya Lamonakis in a main event heavyweight title championship fight.

“We’re hoping it goes through,” Sonya said, “and hoping to get all the local girls that sell tickets on there. It would be a great accomplishment for women’s boxing….Lou Dibella would be smart to do this and support the women.”

Meanwhile, Sonya has been hard at work.

She trains with Lennox Blackmore and Don Saxby and is perfecting her tough, no-nonsense style of boxing that has taken her to the heights of the amateur world and five straight professional victories.

Tickets for the bout are available directly from Sonya Lamonakis on Facebook click here.  Just message her for tickets.  Seats are $55.00 and $75.00. You can also contact  Sharon Lamonakis (Sonya’s Mom!) at 413-863-3052.

Inspiration

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Inspiration.

Afghan Girl's Boxing Team

I’ve been in a back to the drawing boards phase for the past couple of days.  I likely should have just put up the “gone fishing” sign, but what I’ve really needed is to draw on some inspiration.  Here’s what I’ve come up with:

1.  I have a friend in the throes of a tough fight against breast cancer.  She’s ridiculously young to be going through this sort of “shite,” but if you ever needed to move on from a “what’s this all about” moment — take a read through Mandy’s terrific Breastcancerography blog to put it all in perspective!

2.  Life got you down, try heaving 60+ extra pounds around during a four-round fight!

That was Sonya Lamonakis’ task when she fought Gigi Jackson last week — and somewhere from the depths, Sonya brought it forward.  Talk about inspiration — that’s how champions are made.  Finding the place in oneself where one can move past difficulty and seemingly insurmountable obstacles to succeed at the task at hand and if that’s not possible, walking away knowing that one did give it one’s all, which in my book is something to be just as proud of.

3.  Every time I get to the gym, someone catches my attention and I am riveted by the precision of their work and more importantly by their work ethic.  Sometimes it’s a trainer, explaining the nuance of a technique while at other times it’s a fellow gym denizen shadowing boxing in front of the mirror or heaving weights or doing sit-ups for the umpteenth time in a row.

Whatever it is keeps me coming back because I know that I’m part of the chain of a terrific community that inspires by showing up to do the work.  And whether it’s 6:00 in the morning or close to the end of the day, the da-da-da da-da-da of the speed bag gets into my soul like a heart beat that reminds me how much the gym can mean.

FLASH! Sonya Lamonakis Takes it! Remains Undefeated!

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FLASH!  Sonya Lamonakis Takes it! Remains Undefeated!

Sonya Lamonakis defeats Gigi Jackson @ Foxwoods, 4/16/11, George Willis, NY Post

In a bruising battle with an opponent who outweighed her by 63 pounds, Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis defeated Gigi Jackson 40-36, 39-37, 39-37 in a unanimous decision @ Foxwoods tonight.

With this win, Sonya brings her record to 5-0 since turning pro in June of last year.

Reminders! Lamonakis, Merz & a Uruguayan Women’s Fight Night!

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Reminders! Lamonakis, Merz & a Uruguayan Women’s Fight Night!

Fight Reminder:  Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis

Girlboxing friend Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis (4-0, 1-KO) will be fighting on the under card of the “East-West Showdown: Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz,” welterweight pairing on this coming Saturday night, April 16, 2011 @ the MGM Grand, Foxwoods to be broadcast live on HBO.  Promoted by Lou DiBello Entertainment and the always exciting Sonya Lamonakis, ranked the number 3 women’s heavyweight contender in the world by   will be mounting her 5th professional fight since turning pro last year against boxer Gigi Jackson (2-1) .

Tickets for the event start at $65.00, and can still be purchased through Gleason’s Gym (minus the ticket handling charges!).  Contact Gleason’s as 718-797-2872 for tickets and further information.

Reminder:  Mischa Merz Book Signing 2night!

Another Girlboxing friend, Misha Merz will be having a book signing 2night for her boxing memoir The Sweetest Thing at Gleason’s Gym running from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  Misha will be on hand to read from her memoir to the wonderful sounds of the sweet science in the background.  For further information you can contact Gleason’s Gym @ 718-797-2872.  Or just come on by to 77 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY (in DUMBO).

Reminder:  Boxing in Uruguay!  Yep, Uruguay on April 19th!

Cecilia “La Reina” Comunales

Hold the date of April 19th for a great night of boxing in Uruguay promoted by Sampson Boxing.  The main event will be UBO Women’s Lightweight champion Cecilia “La Reina” Comunales (7-1-0, 5 K.O.‘s) from Uruguay taking  on Alicia Susana Alegre (7-4, 7 K.O.‘s) from just across the river in Argentina for an exciting evening of women’s boxing at its best.  Dubbed “La Defensa Del Reino” or “Defending The Kingdom”, the event is being heavily promoted in South America and will be viewed on Vtv, in Uruguay.  The fight will also likely be video streamed – so do some checking online.

 

Upcoming fight! Sonya Lamonakis to fight on April 16, 2011!

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Upcoming fight!  Sonya Lamonakis to fight on April 16, 2011!

Sonya "The Scholar" Lamonakis, Photo Credit: Claudia Bocanegra

Always exciting Sonya Lamonakis (4-0, 1-KO), four-time golden gloves winner, and currently ranked #3 women’s heavyweight fighter in the world will be fighting on the upcoming Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz undercard scheduled for April 16, 2011 at the MGM Grand, Foxwoods Casino.  Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, the Berto/Ortiz bout will be broadcast live on HBO — and with any luck, HBO will throw some video our way of what we know will be another crowd-pleasing Lamonakis event.

Coming off her decisive win over Tanzee Daniel by unanimous decision on March 12th, Sonya will be fighting Gigi Jackson (2-1 by KO) in the scheduled six-round bout. This will also be Sonya’s fifth fight since turning pro in June 2010.

In Girlboxing’s estimation, Sonya’s ever-growing popularity is part and parcel of the non-stop action work ethic she brings with her into the ring; no doubt a reflection of the effort she puts in day-in and day-out as a New York City middle school teacher.

>>>>>UPDATE>>>>>

To facilitate attendance for this exciting evening of boxing at its best, Gleason’s Gym is selling $75.00 $65.00 tickets without the usual fees.  For further information call (718) 797-2872 or email info@gleasonsgym.net.