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WORCESTER, MA-- Sonya Lamonakis has enjoyed a positive constant
in her young boxing career.
Last night at Worcester, Massachusetts, the Heavyweight utilized
the proverbial wind at her back, that is defined as a extremely
supportive group of family and friends to improve to 6-0, 1 KO,
with a unanimous result over a sharp Tiffany Woodard.
Lamonakis, a native of Greece and former four time Golden Gloves
champion in the State of New York took a 59-55, 58-56, 57-57,
six round majority decision over Woodard of Wilson, North Carolina at the
venerable Mechanics Hall, which was celebrating the 400th fight
of the venue’s history dating back to the 1920’s.
Woodard fell to 4-5-1, 3 KO’s with the narrow margin defeat.
This was the second go-around for the pair who were pitted
against each other back in early December of 2010, the latest
outing- eerily similar to last year’s bout which Lamonakis took
58-56, 58-57 and 58-56.
In her pro debut at Mechanics Hall in June of 2010, Lamonakis
who currently resides in Turner’s Falls, MA had a noticeable
hometown contingent in force. On Saturday, the trend continued.
“I need their support,” said Lamonakis who weighted in at 223.
“I need all the energy they bring. They’re my family, my heart
and I want them with me always.”
Despite the backing it was Woodard, (205lb.) who took the
initiative to be the clear aggressor in the first round and
again in the opening portions of the second. “I knew she was
going to be (aggressive), because when I fought her before she
knew my style and I expected for her to come at me hard. I just
kept working my defense and picking and popping,” Lamonakis
said.
In the third, Lamonakis delivered a straight left that stung her
opponent and ultimately marked the beginning of a shift in the
bout. ‘I think once I started catching her clean, I think I got
into her head,’ said Lamonakis.
“I think we put our hearts out tonight,” said Woodard. “I’m more
of a brawler, she’s more of a brawler. Early on, I relied on my
boxing skills. I thought it was a good fight. She got a couple
more good shots in but I think it was a draw, but you know it is
what it is. If you don’t go hard then you’re not going to get
it.”
The latter rounds were characterized by a rise in quality
exchanges. Again, Lamonakis secured those rounds by landing a
majority of the heavy offerings. “I did my thing, I was hitting
her with body shots,” said Lamonakis. “I think I could have gone
ten rounds.
‘I know it was real close, so I won’t complain,” Woodard said.
“I hope we can fight again. We’ll (both) fight again and
hopefully become champions for women. ‘
The victory opened up a number of interesting possibilities for
Lamonakis in her view, “I hope to move up to eight rounds next.
Maybe a title shot. The WBC is vacant and Gwendolyn O’Neil has
been stripped of her title, so I’m ready.”
In the under card, unbeaten Super Bantamweight Luis Rosa (8-0, 5
KO’s) of New Haven, CT scored a six round unanimous decision
(59-55, 59-55, 59-55) over a game Steve Nichol of Lakewood, CO
(5-6, 5 KO’s). Also, Heavyweight Kelvin Price (11-0, 6 KO’s) of
New Iberia, LA bested Joseph Rabotte in a (60-54, 60-54, 60-55)
UD. Rabotte, out of Atlanta, GA dropped to 11-17-1, 3 KO’s) with
the defeat.