Lockport’s Abdallah, Irr Among Fight Night Winners at Kenan Arena
By John D’Onofrio
LOCKPORT — It took just 239 seconds for Lockport’s Amer Abdallah to prove how “over-rated” he is.
Looking as sharp, precise and powerful as he’s ever been, Abdallah humbled Milwaukee’s Jerald Johnson, knocking him out about a minute into the second round of their professional heavyweight kickboxing fight at the raucous Kenan Center Arena.
A record crowd estimated in the thousands witnessed Saturday night’s 14-bout international card, sponsored by Local Edge Media, Mulvey Construction, Patterson Contracting, Finnan’s, All Metal Works , Wittlin, Cain & Dry Accounting, Natale Builders and Papa Leo’s.
Earlier victories by Lockport’s Brian Irr and Eric Pulmeri helped set a positive local tone for the scheduled, seven-round main event. The fight ended much sooner than anticipated by most, especially after the 6-4, 215-pound Johnson boasted at Friday night’s weigh-in how over-rated the 6-0, 191-pound Abdallah was.
Overcoming the significant size differential and despite nursing tender ribs that forced him to postpone an earlier fight, Abdallah (10-0) completely obliterated Johnson (19-5) from the start, landing several thunderous leg kicks to Johnson’s ribs that resulted in a standing eight count from referee Angelo Castricone.
The end came soon after that as Abdallah drilled Johnson with three consecutive left legs to the ribs and a right hand that knocked him senseless to the floor. But the bell rang to end the first round and Johnson limped to his corner, complaining to his trainer, Stan Johnson, about sore ribs.
Another powerful leg kick by Abdallah hurt Johnson to open the second round, but the larger man threw a nice right hand that momentarily kept Abdallah away. The inevitable came just 59 seconds into round two as Abdallah backed Johnson into the corner then pummeled him with a right hand and left leg kick to the head until he dropped over the ropes. Castricone stepped in after that to officially end the onslaught.
“We did not disclose to anyone outside of our camp that two weeks into training, I broke two ribs and we were considering pulling out of this fight, but we decided to try and work through it. Several different doctors worked me over and I was able to endure camp. I sparred just 20 rounds the whole camp,” Abdallah said.
“I was a little concerned because I was stepping up into the heavyweight division and he’s so big, but as it turned out, the body wasn’t what he was looking for. He was headhunting,” Abdallah said.
“I’m a little disappointed that he wasn’t more durable. I knew after I kicked him the first time and I heard him make a noise that he wasn’t going to last. That’s when I made the decision to go for the kill. When I came back to my corner at the end of the first round, I said to (trainer) Corey (Webster), ‘Pick a corner you want him to fall in.’”
Despite the impressive win as a heavyweight, Abdallah said he will return to the light heavyweight class for his next fight, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 12 or 19 at the Kenan Arena. Also expected on that card are Lockport’s Webster, Pulmeri and Irr.
“I’m definitely moving back down. My place is in the light heavyweight division, where I’ve earned the opportunity to fight a top-five guy. That’s still my goal. I’ve trained too hard and for too long to be fighting guys who have no heart. If he’s not in the top five, it’s not worth it to me.”
Pulmeri dominated Rochester’s Mike Olds in their three-round bout that drew blood. Pulmeri was the aggressor throughout, pinning Olds on the ropes and wailing away. After a close first and second round, Pulmeri landed the more significant blows in the decisive third.
Irr, who trains at Lockport’s Seishin-Kan Karate School under the direction of Eric Hill, made his three-round pro kickboxing debut a memorable one, dominating wrestle-happy Michael Sherwood of Port Colbourne, Ontario. The taller Irr won the first, but Sherwood kept clenching and made it difficult for the Lockport martial arts champion to find his range. That came in the second and third rounds, which Irr dominated with strong leg kicks and punches to the head.
“He drained a lot out of me by clenching all the time,” Irr said. “But eventually I started landing leg kicks and I was able to try a few things that worked well for me. I learned a lot and it was a great experience in front of the home crowd.”
Added Abdallah, “Brian’s one of the best up-and-coming athletes in our area and we were proud to have him on our fight card. Eric’s a class act and he runs a great organization.”
Other fight night winners included Sean Conner of Jamestown, Eric Osbourne of Toronto, Richard Oelke of Hamilton), Tom Welker of Buffalo, Luay Ashkar of Liverpool, Mike Shiffhauer of Rochester, Yman Bannister of Jamestown, Josh Fitzimmons of Hamilton, Jeremy Savoy of Toronto and “Fighter of the Night” award winner Damiana Andrello of Liverpool.
Andrello, 11, the daughter of Lace Up Promotions fighters Jim and Kim Andrello, was a crowd favorite in her impressive decision-win over Emily Easterbrook of Port Colbourne.
Conner decisioned Jessie Bilhinghurst of Buffalo, Osbourne and Oelke earned split-decision wins, respectively, over Joe Goyette of Jamestown and Louie Loresco of Toronto. Welker earned a technical knockout win over Lockport’s Brock Menzel, Ashkar decisioned Walter Ramirez of Toronto, Shiffhauer decisioned Ariel Class of Buffalo, Bannister beat Fredrico Diagamisso of Hamilton by TKO, Fitzimmons decisioned. Harold Lindor of Toronto and Savoy decisioned one of the night’s most popular fighters, Joe Pagan of Fredonia.
It was the first career loss for Pagan, the principal at Fredonia BOCES, and veteran kickboxing referee, who was supported by a large contingent of family members and friends. Pagan, whom Abdallah said is one of the most respected fight men in the business, broke a toe and was given an opportunity to back out of the fight at the last minute, but declined.
“Joe has a huge heart. You have to tip your hat to him. And he fought a tough kid.”
Among those assisting on fight night were members of Team Abdallah, including Gina Nowak, Liz Bouchard, Paul Webster and the Ventura brothers, Anthony and Chris, the sons of former professional heavyweight contender Tony Ventura of Lockport The ring announcer was Lockport High School boys and girls varsity track head coach Miles Patterson. Among the dignataries on hand were Lockport Mayor Tucker, former heavyweight contenders Ventura and “Baby” Joe Mesi, Niagara Falls pro fighter Nick Casal and his father, Lockport native and Falls gym owner Ray Casal, ringside physician Dr. Margaret Libby, ironman competitor Sam Pasceri and several local businessmen, including Tom Sarratori (Finnan’s) and Mike Ennis (Danny Sheehan’s).
