Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis speaks with Real Combat Media’s Pattee Mak
*Photo provided by Eagle Sports Photography.
By Pattee Mak
Brooklyn, NY (March 27th, 2013)– Harlem’s own female heavyweight Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis (7-0-2,1KO) has an upcoming scheduled fight on April 13, 2013 against Martha Salazar (11-4-0) from California at the Lions Gate Convention Center in Sacramento, CA. Lamonakis is ranked the number one female heavyweight of the World and of the United States on Boxrec. Currently she is a teacher at PS 241 The STEM Institute and has been teaching for 13 years. I have seen her fight on many occasions and I’m excited about her upcoming bout.
Pattee Mak: Before we chat about your upcoming fight you were recently in Thailand. Tell me about your recent visit there? What did your trip entail and share with me about your transformation.
Lamonakis: I attended http://www.facebook.com/l/rAQHHuOx4AQFRH18nPd9kQce43xFdu94-0r31B_HRYzZi8g/www.tigermuaythai.com training camp in Phuket, where I healed my spirit, mind, and body.
Pattee Mak: How much weight did you loose?
Lamonakis: 34 lbs.
Pattee Mak: Now your fight is scheduled for the 13th against Martha Salazar. Tell me how this fight came about?
Lamonakis: They offered me the fight on facebook actually and I took it.
Pattee Mak: Facebook is a wonderful tool for networking.
Pattee Mak: Where are you training and how is the training coming along?
Lamonakis: I’m training with Marcos Suarez at DAS Fitness and at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.
Pattee Mak: What is going to be your game plan on the 13th?
Lamonakis: She’s strong and fast and I’m not standing in front of her, I’m going to use my footwork and angles to make her miss and make her pay.
Pattee Mak: You will be fighting her in Cali and she’s from Cali. Do you find this to be a threat especially if it goes to the judge’s score cards?
Lamonakis: Of course, but there is a limited pool of heavyweights in the world and for a fight I don’t have to sell tickets I’ll take it. I signed up to fight, not pick and choose fights.
Pattee Mak: This is the first time the two of you are meeting up. The last time she fought in 2007 she lost to Vonda Ward. What do you know about Salazar?
Lamonakis: She’s strong and fast and has a lot of experience.
Pattee Mak: Do you know why she hasn’t fought since 2007?
Lamonakis: Perhaps, it’s not easy. Getting a fight as a female heavyweight is very difficult.
Pattee Mak: When are we going to see you with a pretty belt around your waist?
Lamonakis: I’m hoping this June with Dibella. I hope he will give me a shot for an 8 round title fight, like the NABF or WIBA.
Pattee Mak: Are you at the point in your career where there are no more heavyweights that are equally comparable to yourself to fight?
Lamonakis: No, there is always someone training just as hard as me to fight. I don’t take anyone lightly. Every fight is a big fight and a challenge.
Pattee Mak: Is it difficult for you to find opponents?
Lamonakis: Major, it’s a struggle, that’s why I fight some over and over. It’s annoying. But there is no money in women’s boxing.
Pattee Mak: Anyone you’d like to fight?
Lamonakis: I want to fight Gwendolyn O’Neal. She’s a former world champion with a lot of experience. I’m ready for that challenge.
Pattee Mak: Recently I learned why and how you got into boxing. It was originally a travesty but in the end it’s all good. Please share.
Lamonakis: I was in Springfield, MA at an ATM and two men jumped in my car to rob me and held me at knife point. When I went back to Gold’s Gym in West Springfield a couple days later I told my friend what happened and she suggested the boxing gym. And then it started rolling from there.
Pattee Mak: How do your students perceive you as a fighter?
Lamonakis: They love it, they love that I can do pushups, jump rope, sit-ups, I’m athletic, can play games with them, and that I box. They are all really into it.
Pattee Mak: Thank you sooo much for taking the time to answer these questions via email. I look forward to seeing you in the New York area soon.
Lamonakis: You are very welcome, thank you for taking the time to support women’s boxing all the time.
Pattee Mak: Should you have any suggestion, questions or comments feel free to comment below or locate me on facebook or on Twitter @PatteeMak.
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