Sonny Moroni Focused Ahead Of Clash With Thai Veteran
Sonny Moroni is aiming to finish 2024 on a high this Friday night inside Auckland's ABA Stadium.
Sonny Moroni will seek to end his 2024 campaign on a high when he returns to the ring on Friday, Nov 29th, as the headline act of Peach Boxing's The Sweet Science 3.
Moroni will face off against Thai veteran Natthaphon Chalothorn in a welterweight contest as he looks to continue his impressive start to his professional career.
A three-time national amateur champion, Moroni turned professional back in April. Since then, the Isaac Peach-trained fighter has been on a tear, racking up three straight victories, with his last two wins coming via stoppage.
Fighters can take time to acclimatise to the rigours of the professional scene. However, Moroni relishes the challenge of taking the next step in his boxing journey.
"I am loving it; it's where I am meant to be," Moroni says.
"I enjoyed my run in the amateurs, but the pros is definitely a good place for me. It's not an easy jump. It is a different kind of game, but all the help from Isaac and all the crew at the Peach Boxing stable really helps make that jump easier, " he explains.
In his most recent outing, Moroni made short work of Thailand's Surachet Tongmala, scoring a devastating first-round knockout win. It was a surreal moment for the 19-year-old, who brought the house down with his polished performance.
"It was a different feeling getting those knockouts," he says.
"The atmosphere was crazy, too; I was just living in the moment for a few days after that [fight].”
Moroni's victory was greeted with a spine-tingling Haka from his supporters in the crowd, making his win even more special and forging a moment that will live long in his memory.
" I have always been on the other side. I know I did the Haka for Mea Motu's walkouts for a few of her fights. I am used to giving that, so being on the other end is a completely different feeling, and I am truly grateful as well," he says.
"One thing I want to carry with me in the pros is definitely representing my culture and Aotearoa on the big stage as a whole."
In Chalothorn, Moroni will be facing arguably his toughest opponent to date. The 26-year-old has fought three times this year and has shared the ring with two of Australia's top ten welterweights.
Moroni is favoured to win, but he is not expecting an easy night on Friday. All of Chalothorn's victories have come via knockout, and Moroni is not taking his opponent lightly. To that end, he has been working hard in the gym to ensure he is ready to go the distance if it comes to that.
"I know he (Chalothorn) has gone the rounds with some good fighters. I am prepared to go through the rounds. If it makes it that far, I've trained to go the rounds, so I am ready. "
The training camp leading up to this week's fight has seen Moroni focus his energy on the sport's fundamentals, which no fighter can ever take for granted, regardless of how advanced their career is.
"Once something gets good, you keep on drilling it to get better; there is always better, " Moroni exclaims.
A win on Friday will cap off a memorable year for Moroni, but listening to him talk, it is evident that what we are witnessing now is just the beginning chapter of what could be a lengthy story.
"2024 was a big year, my debut year, and I am ready to take over 2025; I am always excited to get in the ring and fight all the time, but next year is going to be a huge year for me."
Fans can follow all the action from Friday night’s card via the Combat Sports Network.
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