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Lockport’s Amer Abdallah Predicts a Knockout Win Saturday Night
By John D’Onofrio
LOCKPORT — It’s a true David versus Goliath on Saturday night at the historic Kenan Center Arena, only this “David” is much more confident than the man in the Biblical parable.
Lockport professional kickboxer Amer Abdallah, a formidable light heavyweight at 6-feet, 185 pounds, will move up a class to take on 6-feet, 4-inch, 220-pound heavyweight Jerald “The Gettoblaster” Johnson (19-4) of Milwaukee in Saturday night’s main event.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first of 13 scheduled fights to begin at 7 p.m.
Abdallah (9-0), who started training camp at 190 pounds, said he’s feeling physically and mentally fit for his fight.
“We knew that when we took this fight that we’d be spotting him 30 to 40 pounds, so we didn’t want to simply put on more weight,” Abdallah said on Wednesday.
“It wasn’t going to matter. We were fighting a bigger, taller guy, period. I’m feeling great. We’re peaking this weak. My heart rate and body weight percentages are exactly where they’re supposed to be. I’m feeling strong.”
Two weeks ago, light heavyweight Tree Scott (11-0) of Florida withdrew from his scheduled title about against Abdallah. Lace Up Promotions then signed the veteran Johnson, who won his last fight in February by a third-round knockout.
“He has size and experience and he trains with Dick Roufus, one of the most famous kickboxers in the United States,” Abdallah said.
“He’s able to bully a lot of guys he fights because of his size, experience and boxing skills,” Abdallah said.
“I won’t give him an opportunity to do that. I’m going to stand in front him and show him a lot of things he’s never seen from a smaller guy. Our job is to kill the body and the head will fall. I won’t take any chances that might end getting me countered. We’ll fight a smart fight and a fast fight.”
When asked for his prediction on the fight, Abdallah was equally confident.
“Someone will be getting knocked out and it won’t be me — that’s my two guarantees,” Abdallah said. “I don’t want to give him the idea that I’m going to run from him. He has to be prepared to die in that ring just as I am. This is sheer warfare. I’m going to walk him down and slay Goliath,” Abdallah said.
Abdallah’s team made some drastic changes in camp, bringing in taller sparring partners in the final week of preparation.
“We’ve been working on many of the same tools Amer will use for Johnson. It’s minor adjustments that we’re focusing on. We’re going to blast the Ghettoblaster,” said Abdallah trainer Corey Webster.
Abdallah said he’ll return to the light heavyweight class following the fight.
“My goal is to win. This is a fight for the fans and for people who want to see an exciting fight. This one’s just for fun.”
Weigh-ins for the event will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Finnan’s Bar & Grill on Lincoln Avenue.
Also on the card is the past winner of several martial arts titles, Newfane’s Brian Irr, who will make his pro kickboxing debut against Canadian Michael Sherwood.
Local Edge CEO Jeff Folckemer has announced that the first 500 spectators to walk through the doors on Saturday will be entered to win their choice of either a $1,000 college scholarship or a free IPAD. Folckemer, a major supporter of Team Abdallah, bought all spectators free pizza at the last fight event in July.
