Saturday Night’s Opponent is European Champ

East Niagara Post

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Amer Abdallah’s latest opponent is also one of the best he’s faced.

Still, the World Kickboxing Association United States Light Heavyweight camp doesn’t think he’ll have any trouble winning Saturday night when he faces the UK’s James Wallis, European champion. In fact, he doesn’t think the fight will go the full 10 rounds.

In April, Abdallah was named the WKA’s fifth-ranked Cruiserweight in the world. Along with that annoucnement, Abdallah was told that a win Saturday night makes him eligible for a shot at the world kickboxing title.

The 36-year-old Abdallah has been training extensively. He flew to Las Vegas to train with Jeff Mayweather, uncle of world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather was with Abdallah Wednesday night when his team held an open practice, inviting the public to watch him at work. Abdallah appeared to be in perfect shape as he did two-minute drills, punching into Mayweather’s pads and later kicking into a padded suit worn by Ahmed Imamovic.

A couple dozen watched the open practice at the Lockport Athletic and Fitness Center. More than a thousand are expected to watch Saturday night’s fight at the Kenan Center Arena.

The card also includes Lockport’s Joe “Son of a Legend” Taylor, Luay “Arabian Nightmare” Ashkar, Kendrick Huston, Eric Pulmeri, Andre Carroll, Lockport High School senior Tyler Rodier, Sweet Home junior Brandon Freiburger, Ed Rodgers, Dylan Sullivan, and popular women’s kickboxer, Damiana Andrello.

Tickets for the “International Warfare” event, presented by Lace Up Promotions, are available on ticketfly.com. General admission seating is $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the opening bell at 7.