Rising undefeated Australian welterweight Joel Lewis returns to the ring on March 1 at Metro City in Perth in his quest for championship glory in a featured Thunderdome 45 contest.
Lewis is coming off back-to-back fights with Habib Kheririkah, having earned a Western Australia state welterweight championship against veteran Perth-based Turkish boxer Bahtiar Sonyol.
“I have come from the lowest of lows and now ready to sacrifice everything and leave no stone unturned to get my first boxing championship,” said Lewis. “I’m very honored to do this in just my fourth fight. I’m blessed to be training at Pinky’s Gym with my mentor Matt Floyd. He’s really a father figure to me, and I see how hard he trains and what he puts in and it’s a great example for me. Also, Tony [Tolj] is unbelievable and to get me this opportunity, I can’t thank him and the team at Dragon Fire Boxing enough.
“But it’s up to me to capitalize and I plan on winning in devastating fashion.”
Lewis had only a short amateur career before turning to the pro ranks in June 2023 in Adelaide, and he has remained active since.
“This is a step-up clash for Joel,” said Tolj. “Sonyol is a well-experienced opponent who is coming off back-to-back wars with undefeated Australian prospect Jude Grant and was two divisions out of his weight division. Now Sonyol is going back to welterweight, which is his natural weight class. Both fighters will learn from this fight and be better for it.
The card has 12 fights, including Jordan Laruccia, State Champions Jude Grant, Richard Lockett and Lewis Clarke, Habib Kherikah, Jack Thompson, heavyweight clashes and four debutantes.
Follow all the action from Thunderdome 45 on FITE TV / TRILLER TV.
