Lockport Light Heavyweight Professional Will Defend His U.S. Title June 8 at the Kenan Center Arena.
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
Lockport light heavyweight Amer Abdallah recently received the news he’s been waiting for his entire professional kickboxing career — he’s been ranked in the Top 10 by the World Kickboxing Association and is in contention for a WKA world title fight.
“My goal from the first day I put gloves on was to deliver a world title to my hometown of Lockport,” said Abdallah, who left earlier this week to resume training at the world famous Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. “Now my dream is becoming a reality. At this stage of my career, the question isn’t’ ‘Who’s going to let me?,’ but ‘Who’s going to stop me?’ ”
Abdallah, 35, will defend his United States WKA light heavyweight championship on June 8 at the Kenan Center Arena. An opponent has yet to be announced, but others on the undercard will include Pat “The Real Deal” Thompson, the debut of Joe Taylor — son of the late great Johnny Taylor — and the return to the ring of 52-year-old local favorite Dominic Esposito.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the star-studded Kenan fight card will go on sale May 3 at the Lockport Athletic club (439-5232) and Ticketmaster.com.
At 13-0 Abdallah has successfully defended his title twice in Lockport. With a win in June, Abdallah jumps into the Top 5 in the WKA rankings and will be in line for the coveted world title.
Abdallah has added quite an arsenal in his training camp, bringing in former world boxing champion and world renowned boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather to his coaching team.
“Floyd Jr. will be in camp finalizing his preparation for his upcoming fight and it will be amazing to be in camp with him,” Abdallah said. “I’m truly honored they invited us to hold camp there.”
Mayweather said he will work his nephew Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s corner in his upcoming world championship fight on May 5 in Las Vegas.
“Amer and I already have a wonderful relationship outside of the ring and I think together we will make a great team and continue to add to his already illustrious career,” Mayweather said.
Team Abdallah manager Ahmed Imamovic is equally excited about the Mayweather connection and feels it’s the perfect fit for Abdallah.
“Amer has always had great coaching throughout his career. We’re currently working with head coach Corey Webster and assistant trainer Jim Andrello, who have been perfect for Amer’s style. A guy like Jeff Mayweather only makes him that much better.”
Abdallah’s team will wrap up camp in Las Vegas before heading back to Lockport, where they will finish training at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Club on South Transit Road and Webster’s Western New York MMA in Buffalo. Mayweather will fly in shortly afterwards to join them for the fight.
The June 8 fight card at the Kenan will be sponsored by long-time community supporters Local Edge (Jeff Folckemer), Mulvey Construction (Tim Mulvey), All Metal Works (Dominick Cileberto), Witlin, Cain & Dry (Scott Cain) and Executive Landscaping (Anthony Butera).
In addition, Lockport’s Papa Leo’s will provide pizza and concessions for the event.
