Fan Favorite Sonya Lamonakis Added To ‘East-West Showdown’ Card

Berto-Ortiz headlines April 16 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

NEW YORK, NY (Mar. 30, 2011) – Popular female heavyweight Sonya “The Scholar” Lamonakis has been added to the April 16 “East-West Showdown” card, featuring World Boxing Council (“WBC”) Welterweight World Champion and undefeated star Andre Berto against WBC # 5 rated challenger “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

“East-West Showdown: Berto vs. Ortiz” is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The bout will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing starting at 9:45 PM/ET 6:45 PM/PT. The broadcast kicks off with Amir “King” Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Paul “Dudley” McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) from the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

Lamonakis (4-0, 1 KO), a native of Greece, is a sixth-grade teacher at Harlem’s Family Academy who trains at the famed Gleason’s Gym in New York City. A four-time New York Golden Gloves champion, Sonya was a field hockey and softball player at Springfield College in Massachusetts. She has been a professional boxer since last June and, in her most recent fight, March 12 on the Sergio Martinez-Sergiy Dzinziruk card, also at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, she won an entertaining six-round unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Tanzee Daniel. Lamonakis will be matched in another six-round bout against an opponent to be determined.

“Sonya is an all-action fighter who attracts a lot of fans,” promoter Lou DiBella said. “She has done very well and we’re happy to get her right back in action. Fight fans love watching her fight. ‘The Scholar’ is one of the most exciting female fighters out there today.”

Lamonakis will take on an opponent to be announced.

Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $125, and $65 and went on sale today through the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods at 1-866-646-0609, or in person at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods box office.