Lockport’s Knockout Artist Joe Taylor is a Rising Star in the Ring
Lockport Union Sun & Journal
Whether he’s boxing or kickboxing, Lockport’s “Son of a Legend” Joe Taylor is taking the national ring by storm in the past several months.
“Joe reached out to me early this year and asked me for advice about plans he had fighting over the next few months. Initially, I told him he was crazy, but I’d support and help him get to where he wanted to be,” said Amer Abdallah of Lace Up Promotions.
With a green light from his Lace Up boss, Taylor was on his way to setting new records and pushing himself to the limits.
On March 22, Taylor and his team drove to Virginia to compete in the World Kickboxing Association Amateur National Tournament, where he competed in the Heavyweight Open (advanced) Division.
Taylor immediately advanced to the finals and faced one of the divisions fiercest fighters and returning champion, Larry Perna of New Rochelle. In a toe-to-toe battle over three rounds, all three judges decided in Taylor’s favor and awarded him the United States National Heavyweight Title.
“The WKA tournament was a great experience for me” Taylor said. “My opponent was a tough champion who pushed me to my limits. But by the grace of God and my hard work, I prevailed.”
Just a week later, Taylor took his kicking gear off and slipped on his boxing gloves to compete in the New York State Golden Gloves Semifinals. Taylor faced upstate New York’s Josh Brown who was a Golden Gloves veteran, having fought in the tournament previously.
In devastating fashion, Taylor launched an overhand right that landed flush on Brown’s chin in the opening minute of the the first round and left him laying unconscious on the mat for several minutes.
“I’ve been around amateur boxing for quite some time” Taylor’s coach, Corey Webster of Buffalo’s Western New York Mixed Martial Arts stated. “That was one of the meanest one-punch knockouts I’ve ever seen. He was out before he hit the floor.”
Taylor added, “For months, I was so excited about my Golden Gloves bout. It took me 58 seconds to end the fight and prove to everyone why I’m the best heavyweight.”
Taylor still has his hands full as he plans to compete in the state Golden Glove Finals next week. If he wins, he advances to the national Golden Gloves Tournament in Las Vegas on May 9. Immediately after that, he plans on fighting back home in front of his fans on June 13 at the Kenan Center Arena, where he will attempt to capture the Lace Up Promotions heavyweight crown.
“I would first like to thank God for the gift he’s blessed me with and my local community for all of their support,” Taylor said.
“My coaches Corey Webster and Kendrick Huston made sure I was prepared for these battles. I’d like to thank my friend Amer Abdallah and Lace Up Promotions for all of their support to helping me get me to my dreams.”
Abdallah added, “Joe has all of the potential in the world to do whatever he wants. He’s determined and hungry, yet one of the most genuine and sincere men you will ever meet.”
