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Lockport Heavyweight KO Specialist Will Compete at June 13 Kenan Fight Card

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

Undefeated hometown hero and WKA/IKF heavyweight champion Joe Taylor will attempt to add one more title to his resume on Saturday night, June 13, at the Kenan Center Arena when he fights for the coveted Lace Up Promotions Heavyweight Championship in front of his hometown fans.

“When fighters attain a level of championship caliber we match them with the best possible opponent we can and afford them an opportunity to claim the Lace Up Championship, meaning they are at the top of their weight class in our national organization,” said Lace-Up promoter Amer Abdallah.

“It’s not too often fighters are given this chance,” he added.

Taylor is coming off of a string of impressive wins at the WKA national tournament in Virginia, where he claimed the heavyweight title. The following week, he boxed at the New York State Golden Gloves and captured the state title. Just a few weeks after that he travelled to Las Vegas, where he competed against the country’s top heavyweights and lost in the opening round to the boxer that went on to win the entire tournament.

“Joe’s been very active and just loves to fight. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever run into outside of the ring. But inside, he’s as ferocious and vicious as they get.” Abdallah said.

Taylor’s opponent has yet to be named as agreements are in the final stages between both camps. “This will be a war, and Joe’s in for the fight of his career,” Abdallah said.

The Main Event of the night will feature the fighter Abdallah calls, “The most electrifying fighter of our time,” in undefeated knockout artist and always entertaining Kevin VanNostrand of Team Andrello in Baldwinsville. VanNostrand is coming off his biggest career win on the nationally televised GLORY19 event, where he annihilated is opponent in less than 90 seconds.

“We see hundreds, thousands of fighters year after year. Never have I seen anything like this kid,” Abdallah said.

VanNostrand (8-0) was the WKA amateur world champion, U.S. Champion, North American Champion and Regional Champion. As a professional this will be his first title fight as he takes on a very tough veteran, Justin Greskiewicz (28-11) for the United States WKA title.

Also on the June 13 card is Lockport’s David Poole Jr., as he attempts to avenge his only loss against Dom Collella of Seneca Falls.

Up-and-coming MMA superstar “Superfly” Sean Felton will be back in action, as will the Fighting School Teacher, Ayanna Tremont, both of Western New York Mixed Martial Arts.

Buffalo’s “Bad Boy” Scott Skinner makes his return to Lockport to prove his dominance and continue his impressive win streak.

“Supremacy” Championship Kickboxing is proudly sponsored by All Metal Works (Dominick Cilliberto), KJ Motorsports (Kyle Brent), Cain Witlin & Dry Accounting (Scott Cain); Executive Landscaping (Anthony Butera); and Mulvey Construction (Tim Mulvey).

Concessions will be provided by local pizzeria and longtime Lace-Up sponsors, Papa Leo’s.

Tickets for the event are available online today at Ticketfly.com.

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Pro Boxing’s Biggest Fight in History is Just One Short Week Away

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

There’s only one other place on the planet that boxing’s historic Mayweather family has ever put on a clinic outside of their esteemed Las Vegas Mayweather Boxing Club — and that’s Western New York.

In fact, some people might be surprised to know the extent at which Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s family has visited and influenced boxing and kickboxing in Lockport and North Buffalo.

The undefeated, five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is, of course, busy preparing for what’s expected to be the highest grossing boxing match in history this Saturday night against eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. On the line in the event billed as, “The Fight of the Century” is the unified WBA (Super), WBC, WBO and The Ring welterweight titles.

Earlier this year, Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., visited Lockport as guests of Lock City native and the WKA’s No. 2 ranked Cruiserweight kickboxer in the world, Amer Abdallah. Three Mayweathers were in attendance, Floyd Sr., along with brothers Roger and Jeff.

“If there’s one thing my close friends know about me, its my devout creed of loyalty,” said Abdallah, who’ll be at Saturday night’s fight in Las Vegas. “When thinking about where I wanted the first event outside of Las Vegas to be held, I thought of my community who have supported my throughout my career. It was only right to do the first one here at home.”

Abdallah, a former longtime Lockport gym owner and promoter, said getting these world renowned trainers out of Las Vegas and into Western New York in the middle of winter was no small feat, but they agreed — in large part due to Abdallah’s relationship with his trainer, Jeff Mayweather.

“Jeff and I have had a great friendship for several years through my cousin, who is a close friend of Jeff’s,” Abdallah said. “In 2013, I asked Jeff if he’d be interested in working with me professionally as a trainer. He looked at me and without hesitation said, ‘Let’s go win a world title’.”

Abdallah and Jeff Mayweather have paired together for three fights so far and are planning their fourth late this year. Their last victory, the biggest of Abdallah’s career, was last June at Lockport’s sold out Kenan Center Arena against European Champion James Wallis for the WKA Inter-Continental Title.

Through their training camps at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, Abdallah became acquainted with Floyd Mayweather Sr and Roger Mayweather. When Abdallah sold the Lockport Athletic Club on South Transit Road in November of 2013, he began planning a move out west shortly afterwards and in December of last year, he made that move and opened a Lace Up Promotions office in the heart of Las Vegas.

“They were all so happy to make the trip to Western New York, but I felt an inner sense of guilt. Bringing them from the mild winter of Las Vegas to our infamous Western New York winters in the middle of January had me worried,” Abdallah said.

The Mayweathers held a two-hour training session and one-hour question and answer session before a packed room inside the Western New York MMA Gym run by Lockport native and Abdallah’s former student-turned-trainer Corey Webster.

Abdallah reached out to local boys and girls’ clubs, community centers and the Buffalo Police Athletic League boxing program, personally sponsoring 75 local youths to attend the seminars. One lucky young man that received a personal invite from Abdallah was Duane Price of Lockport.

“This wasn’t a business move based on making a profit. It was about giving back to my community that always supported me,” Abdallah said. “Duane’s had some challenges growing up, but has always, showed tremendous strength in his academics, sports and helping his mom around the house. Duane had a private chat with Floyd Mayweather Sr. about school and sports that meant a lot to him.”

Abdallah took the Mayweathers on a tour of Western New York, where they visited Niagara Falls, and through Lockport to see the historic Lockport Locks.

“I truly enjoyed my last visit to Lockport with my dear friend Amer,” Jeff Mayweather said. “We had an amazing time seeing the city and had a great seminar. We’re looking forward to coming back out to Western New York.”

Shortly after returning back to Las Vegas from Western New York, Floyd Mayweather Sr. signed Abdallah as his business agent to handle all of his affairs.

“He takes care of business inside and outside of the ring. Amer is qualified, electrified and bonafide. That’s exactly what I’m looking for,” Mayweather Sr. said.

Added Abdallah, “I’m honored to be the first person that he has ever entrusted with his career and am proud to say that a Lockport resident represents Floyd Mayweather Sr.”

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Lockport’s Knockout Artist Joe Taylor is a Rising Star in the Ring

Lockport Union Sun & Journal

Whether he’s boxing or kickboxing, Lockport’s “Son of a Legend” Joe Taylor is taking the national ring by storm in the past several months.

“Joe reached out to me early this year and asked me for advice about plans he had fighting over the next few months. Initially, I told him he was crazy, but I’d support and help him get to where he wanted to be,” said Amer Abdallah of Lace Up Promotions.

With a green light from his Lace Up boss, Taylor was on his way to setting new records and pushing himself to the limits.

On March 22, Taylor and his team drove to Virginia to compete in the World Kickboxing Association Amateur National Tournament, where he competed in the Heavyweight Open (advanced) Division.

Taylor immediately advanced to the finals and faced one of the divisions fiercest fighters and returning champion, Larry Perna of New Rochelle. In a toe-to-toe battle over three rounds, all three judges decided in Taylor’s favor and awarded him the United States National Heavyweight Title.

“The WKA tournament was a great experience for me” Taylor said. “My opponent was a tough champion who pushed me to my limits. But by the grace of God and my hard work, I prevailed.”

Just a week later, Taylor took his kicking gear off and slipped on his boxing gloves to compete in the New York State Golden Gloves Semifinals. Taylor faced upstate New York’s Josh Brown who was a Golden Gloves veteran, having fought in the tournament previously.

In devastating fashion, Taylor launched an overhand right that landed flush on Brown’s chin in the opening minute of the the first round and left him laying unconscious on the mat for several minutes.

“I’ve been around amateur boxing for quite some time” Taylor’s coach, Corey Webster of Buffalo’s Western New York Mixed Martial Arts stated. “That was one of the meanest one-punch knockouts I’ve ever seen. He was out before he hit the floor.”

Taylor added, “For months, I was so excited about my Golden Gloves bout. It took me 58 seconds to end the fight and prove to everyone why I’m the best heavyweight.”

Taylor still has his hands full as he plans to compete in the state Golden Glove Finals next week. If he wins, he advances to the national Golden Gloves Tournament in Las Vegas on May 9. Immediately after that, he plans on fighting back home in front of his fans on June 13 at the Kenan Center Arena, where he will attempt to capture the Lace Up Promotions heavyweight crown.

“I would first like to thank God for the gift he’s blessed me with and my local community for all of their support,” Taylor said.

“My coaches Corey Webster and Kendrick Huston made sure I was prepared for these battles. I’d like to thank my friend Amer Abdallah and Lace Up Promotions for all of their support to helping me get me to my dreams.”

Abdallah added, “Joe has all of the potential in the world to do whatever he wants. He’s determined and hungry, yet one of the most genuine and sincere men you will ever meet.”

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Lace Up Promotions Hosts the Mayweathers
PRWeb

Lace Up Promotions did it again. Just last November, they brought in the youngest heavyweight champion in history, boxing legend Iron Mike Tyson, to Western New York for an exclusive meet-and-greet followed by a special guest visit to the Legends Rise Kickboxing event in Lockport, NY. They are back at it by introducing, for the first time in history, the Mayweather Training Camp. Lace Up Promotions recently brought the Mayweathers out from Las Vegas to conduct the very first Mayweather Training Camp outside of the world famous Mayweather Boxing Club in Nevada.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger The Black Mamba Mayweather and Jazzy Jeff Mayweather were all on hand at Team Impact Martial Arts in Baldwinsville, NY and WNY MMA in Buffalo on January 15 and 16 to conduct the historic seminar.

When you sit back and look at how monumental this event was, it just makes us feel so proud, Lace Up Promotions CEO Amer Abdallah stated.

The seminar consisted of a two-hour training session explaining the Mayweather Boxing Secrets followed by a one-hour question-and-answer session with all three Mayweathers. Participants were then given opportunities to take photos with the trio.

The Lockport-based Lace Up Promotions created and promoted the event after months of planning.

Our goal is to do this across the country and open this opportunity up to boxing fans everywhere, said Abdallah. This weekend was a test run for us to gauge feedback, marketing and to make any modifications necessary before taking it on the road.

The first event was held in Syracuse at the famous Team Andrello training camp in Baldwinsville, NY where Abdallah said over 70 participants were on hand to train with the Mayweathers. In Buffalo, Abdallah took a slightly different approach. Abdallah reserved and paid for 30 inner-city and underprivileged boxers from local gyms to participate in the event.

I set it up as an incentive program at local boxing clubs for kids that are excelling in school, jobs and work ethic to join the program for free, said Abdallah. It was our way of congratulating them.

Kids, adults and fitness levels of all ages and demographics joined in the historic event, prompting Abdallah and his team to immediately call it a huge success.

This kind of training camp isnt for the professional fighters only, Abdallah stated. Its for any and all boxing fans to experience what its like training with the best trainers in the world!

Later that night, the Mayweathers watched the heavyweight championship fight at Rusty Buffalo in West Seneca. Abdallah made sure to bring the Mayweathers to his hometown of Lockport, where they had breakfast and toured the Locks. He then took them to the world-famous Niagara Falls to view one of the worlds wonders.

Lace Up Promotions has a full schedule this year with six kickboxing events, many Mayweather Training Camps and several more meet-and-greet promotions across the country. Fans can follow them on Facebook at the official Lace Up Promotions fan page.

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Lockport’s Corey Webster is co-host Saturday at WNY MMA

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

Lockport-based Lace Up Promotions made history last November in bringing boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson to Buffalo for a meet and greet, along with a special guest appearance at the Kenan Arena.

Lace Up promoter Amer Abdallah is hosting another historic event by bringing in the First Family of Boxing, the Mayweathers, to Western New York to conduct a training camp.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roger Mayweather and Jeff Mayweather will conduct a training seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday at Corey Webster’s Western New York MMA, 255 Great Arrow Ave. (898-8924).

The Mayweather Training Camp will consist of a two-hour boxing workshop highlighting some of the Mayweather boxing secrets, along with what Abdallah considers the highlight of the camp — a one hour question and answer session with all three men.

Those attending will have an opportunity to be photographed with the Mayweathers by Team Abdallah photographer Jay Stoos and will be given an autographed photo to take home.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true for any boxing fan, whether they are actively training or not.” Abdallah said.

Boxing’s biggest fighter in the world today, Floyd Mayweather Jr, is the highest paid athlete in the world and face of boxing today. He started training with his father Floyd Mayweather Sr. and was managed by uncle Jeff. He later moved on to train with uncle Roger Mayweather and has recently gone back with his father.

Beisides Floyd Mayweather Jr., these three men have trained boxing greats that include Oscar DeLahoya, Ricky Hatton, & Laila Ali.

Jeff was the first Mayweather to break from the boxing-only mold and get into mixed martial arts. He currently trains MMA heavyweight superstar King Mo.

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