NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Nyngan boxer Sonny Knight has been invited to take part in the Indigenous All Stars versus the World boxing tournament to be held over the weekend of November 5 and 6 in Yagoona Sydney.

Sonny, 19, is a proud Wiradjuri man who has grown up in Nyngan and trains with local coach and youth worker Troy Richards at The Shed boxing gym.

A talented sportsman, Sonny has made many representative junior Rugby League sides and still plays for the Nyngan Tigers - however his attention is now on making it to the professional boxing ranks.

Currently he is an amateur and has been focusing on winning a NSW title, and getting as much experience as his can at events such as the All Stars versus The World.

The event, presented by Anthony “the Man” Mundine and promoted by King of the Ring Boxing Promotions aims to promote reconciliation.

It attracts participants from across Australia and allows up and coming boxers like Sonny to show their talent as well as be a conduit to further awareness of equality and inclusiveness across the country.

Sonny’s love for boxing began when he was about 12 and was invited by Troy to come to sessions at the small gym set up behind the Richards family home.

“I was playing up a bit at school and kind of got picked up by Troy and invited around to the gym. It’s been a happy place to me. I enjoy boxing and a sport and I’m hoping to make a career out of it,” Sonny said.

“I love being fit and feeling good. Even though you are going into the ring and fighting, as soon as the bell rings it’s over and you’re mates. I’ve made some really good mates through the sport.”

There’s been plenty of highlights in Sonny’s short career so far including a NSW Country and a NSW Metropolitan title.

There’s also been a few losses, which Sonny has taken on the chin and put behind him.

“The way I look at it, even though I’ve had a few losses I’ve won in a way.”

His first fight was at the age of 14 at the Australian Titles.

“Troy was running the event. He put me in my first fight for the experience. I got thrown in the deep end and it didn’t go so well,” he said.

Troy injected: “He only lost because he got a bleeding nose and it wouldn’t stop. He’s had that cauterised now and we haven’t had an issue ever since.”

Discipline, dedication, sacrifice

 Sonny takes his training seriously, embracing a “discipline, dedication and sacrifice” mantra that he knows he needs to succeed.

His week includes at least three road runs, two nights of sparring and two nights of cross-fit work. His training partner is Troy’s 17-year-old son Will, also a talented youngster.

It’s also not unusual for him to travel up to four hours just for a sparring session – which he concedes is one of the drawbacks of choosing an individual sport in a remote location.

“City boxers have a choice of sparring partners all the time without travelling but out here you have to be prepared to go big distances sometimes just to train.”

When not boxing Sonny works for Nyngan builder James Stanton and has recently completed his carpentry apprenticeship.

He also plays rugby league for the Nyngan Tigers displaying a talent which has caught the eye of selectors since his days in the junior ranks and earning him spots in the Western Rams and Group XI sides.

Troy believes Sonny is now at a pivotal point in his boxing career, particularly if he wants to head for the professional ranks.

“He’s at the pointy end of his boxing career. If he wants to go professional,” Troy said. 

“I always said to Sonny his style suits the professional ring more, but right now we are aiming to get his amateur career on track by winning a NSW Title.”

“Boxers can fight until they’re 50 or more if they want to be journey men and get busted around, but if Sonny wants to make a career of it, now is his time.”

“It takes a lot of dedication to be a boxer. You can get on the piss and you can play footy if you want it but if you’re going to really make it.”