Sondo turns to pro-boxing

MARK SONDO (alias Marksman) has switched to professional boxing after spending more than  10 years competing in kickboxing and winning  several titles both domestically and on the international scene.
In an interview with The National, Sondo revealed that he was encouraged by  Anthony “The Man” Mundine, a former rugby league player-cum-boxer to switch to boxing using the skills and techniques of his hands.
The 27-year-old energetic and stocky boxer, who hails from Erave, in the Southern Highlands province, is now looking at competing in his first professional bouts in Australia in March.
He is also appealing to business houses to support him to attend his challenges.
Sondo will fight in the junior middleweight division (70kg) category, however, this time in professional boxing.
Known to many of his colleagues in kickboxing circles as ‘The Marksman’,  he has competed in 21 international challenges in the South Pacific region and other   respective international tournaments.
With 30 fights under his belt, including winning the PNG title last year and the South Pacific title in Sydney in 2005, Sondo is optimistic of repeating the same feat in boxing.
After a brief stint in Australia, Sondo admitted he had a chance to train with other top fighters in Australia and that had inspired him to take up professional boxing.
He is satisfied with his achievements in kickboxing and looks forward to the new challenge as he makes a transition to another sport.