Will Fight Francois Ambang on Nov. 12 at Kenan Center Arena
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
LOCKPORT — Lockport’s Amer Abdallah will fulfill his kickboxing dream when he fights for a national light heavyweight championship on Nov. 12 in the Lock City.
The World Kickboxing Association USA announced this week that Abdallah will face Francois Ambang of Camaroon, Africa, at the Kenan Center Arena.
Tickets will be available beginning Oct. 3 at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center on South Transit Road in the Town of Lockport, and through Ticketmaster.
At stake is the vacant WKA USA light heavyweight full contact belt.
“Without a doubt, this is my biggest challenge to date, but that’s what I train for,” said Abdallah, whose comeback to the ring has included four straight knockout victories over the last three years.
For the first time in his career, Abdallah has been labeled the underdog. Sited are Ambang’s youth (26), international experience and recent winning streak.
Ambang (20-2) has never been stopped in his career and has one of the highest KO ratios in the sport today.
A native of Cameroon in west Central Africa, Ambang first came to the United States in 2009.
The former African champion and K-1 veteran is the No. 1-ranked contender for the title and touted to be among the most explosive and powerful athletes in the sport of kickboxing today.
So far, the undefeated Abdallah, a former state light heavyweight champ, doesn’t seem intimidated.
“No one can tell me who or what I am or can be,” Abdallah said.
“They can’t measure my heart. Belief in myself will change my world. Defeat and surrender or not in my vocabulary. I don’t understand those words.”
Also on the Nov. 12 fight card are other local favorites, including Lockport middleweight fighter and mixed martial arts instructor Corey Webster, along with Newfane’s Brian Irr, who returns to the ring less than six months after opening his professional career with a knockout victory.
Also on the card, Alexis Davis will defend her women’s lightweight title.
