Latest News

Professional Title Fight Dubbed “International Warfare is Almost Upon Us

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

This historic boxing city has seen its fair share of amateur and professional fights over the last 100 years, especially in the last 20, and we’ve watched many locals go on to make a national name for themselves in the ultimate one-on-one sport.

In this century alone, thanks to arguably one of the best kickboxers/promoters in the world today, we’ve been witness to several local, state, regional and national championship bouts in boxing, kickboxing and various other MMA classifications.

The Kenan Center Arena has played host to some really big international fights. But nothing before or since is as big as this — especially this century.

Lockport’s Kenan Center Arena will host perhaps the biggest and most important fight card in Lock City history on Saturday, June 7, when United States Light Heavyweight Champion and No. 5 ranked cruiserweight in the world, Lockport’s Amer Abdallah, takes on European Champion James Wallis of the United  Kingdom at the Kenan Center Arena.

A win will propel Abdallah into the world title shot he’s been dreaming about and talking about for decades.

“As I prepare for the most important fight of my life, I want to take a break from training camp to sincerely thank everyone for your continued support of my career,” Abdallah said. There’s good news in the Abdallah camp this week as trainer Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of pro boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., is arriving in Lockport on Friday to resume work with Abdallah.

“On June 7, I will fight the European champion, James Wallis, and with a victory, will earn a shot at the world title. At 36 years of age my lifelong dream of becoming a world champion is so close and within arm’s reach,” Abdallah said.

The June 7 Kenan card is laden with outstanding talent from top to bottom, including the return of Lockport’s light heavyweight knockout artist Joe “Son of a Legend” Taylor, Lockport heavyweight Andre “The Giant” Carroll, Lockport’s Kendrick Huston, popular women’s kickboxer, Damiana Andrello and several up-and-coming talents that include Lockport High School senior Tyler Rodier and Sweet Home junior Brandon Freiburger.

Wallis (19-5) has all of his losses at the hands of current or past world champions.  “My preparations are excellent and well ahead of schedule” Wallis said from his Wales training camp.

“I love fighting away from home, sometimes you get booed but then its nice to hear them silenced as the fight goes on..that is motivating for me.”

Abdallah, who started training in Las Vegas at the Mayweather Boxing Club has since returned to Western New York and set up camp locally at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Club on South Transit Road under strength and conditioning coach Greg Jones, as well as respected WNY MMA trainer and former fighter Corey Webster.

“I’ve never felt this strong, physically or mentally before a fight” Abdallah said.  “I’m proud to be able to represent the United States and will do so with honor.”
The international card is stacked with local athletes, including Taylor, who recently signed a pro deal with Lace Up Promotions.  Taylor, a New York State Golden Gloves champion, is making his return to kickboxing and is attempting to add to his undefeated win streak of 3-0.

Taylor’s former cornerman and longtime friend and training partner Kendrick Huston will also compete. Formerly trained by Taylor’s father, the late great Johnny Taylor, Huston had a handful of boxing fights over a decade ago, winning them all convincingly.  This will be his first attempt at a comeback into the ring.

Freiburger, who has been training alongside Abdallah for the past year, will make his kickboxing debut as a welterweight.

Carroll will take on Ed Rodgers of Buffalo in what is hyped as the most controversial fight of the night, with both fighters sharing a war of words on social media.

Andrello, the daughter of undefeated professional champions Jim and Kim Andrello of Syracuse, will make her comeback to the ring against Toronto’s  Amenzee Omonzawa.

Click here to see the original article

It’s a Dream Come True for Lockport WKA Kickboxer

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT – Lockport’s Amer Abdallah has been ranked No. 5 in the world in the Cruiserweight Division by the World Kickboxing Association (WKA).

Abdallah, who will defend his United States Light Heavyweight (175-pound) Kickboxing Championship this June at the Kenan Arena, has been notified by the WKA that another win will qualify him for a WKA world championship fight.

“I’m so humbled and proud at the same time,” Abdallah said by phone from Las Vegas on Tuesday, where he continues to train under Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I’m so happy that I’m able to have a top five ranking. I tell people all of the time how proud I am that I come from a little town in Western New York called Lockport. It’s a lifelong dream come true and I’m happy to share it with my close friends and family,” Abdallah said.

Brian Crenshaw of Henrico, Va., the United States president of the WKA, made the official announcement last week in a letter to Abdallah.

“This letter is to inform you of your new WKA World Professional Ranking in the Men’s Full Contact Division,” Crenshaw wrote to Abdallah on April 8. “As of April 1, you are ranked 5th in the world in the Cruiserweight (189-pound) Professional Full Contact Division. Congratulations on this achievement.”

The WKA ranking is a dream come true for the unbeaten fighter and respected promoter Abdallah, who’s Lockport pro fight cards have placed the “Boxing City” back on the international map for the past 15 years.

Reached by phone on Tuesday, Crenshaw said the undefeated Abdallah (14-0) is known internationally for not only his brawn, but his heart.

“He’s been consistently thriving for a number of years and consistently challenges himself,” said Crenshaw, who plans on attending Abdallah’s June 7 fight card in Lockport.

As part of his preparation for his upcoming fight, Abdallah recently returned to Las Vegas to work with famed boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather.

Despite his previously being declared a top 10 WKA fighter, Abdallah had not received an actual number until now. In his last fight last July against Milwaukee’s Robert Katzfey at the Kenan Arena, the electrifying Abdallah won by knockout in less than two minutes of the opening round.

Abdallah’s opponent for the June 7 Kenan fight card is WKA European champion and MMA competitor James Wallis of Whales.

When asked what he knew about his opponent, Abdallah quipped, “Well, I know he’s going to be the guy I use to be 15-0.”

“Right now, I’m in Las Vegas and getting the best training with the best caliber guys in the world,” Abdallah said.

“I just finished watching Floyd do 30 minutes of continuous sparring. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of knowledgable professionals.”

Click here to see the original article

Taylor, Van Nostrand Among Others on Kenan Arena Fight Card

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT – Undefeated United States light heavyweight champion Amer Abdallah (14-0) has opened training camp in Las Vegas for an upcoming mega fight slated for June 7 at Lockport’s Kenan Center Arena.

Abdallah’s manager Ahmed Imamovic confirmed this week that they’re close to finalizing a fight with an international champion to rank Abdallah in the top 5 in the world and close in on a world title shot.

“This will be the biggest fight of Amer’s career in terms of importance and the opposition. Rest assured, he will be ready,” Imamovic said.

Abdallah recently returned from a press tour in the Middle East, promoting his upcoming fight. “I’m humbled at the amount of press we received and the supporters we’ve befriended across the globe,” Abdallah said. “I’m always proud to say I’m from a small town in Western New York called Lockport.”

Training Abdallah for the upcoming fight is longtime trainer, referee and friend Jim Andrello of Syracuse and the Lock City’s own Corey Webster. The latest addition to Abdallah’s coaching staff is Jeff Mayweather, uncle of boxing superstar welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is currently in camp for a May 3 fight at the MGM Grand.

Abdallah will hold camp at the world famous Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas over the next weeks.

“When Floyd is in camp, the atmosphere of the whole gym changes.” Abdallah said. “He makes everyone in the gym work extra hard and he keeps everyone sharp.”

Abdallah will then fly back home and continue training at Webster’s Western New York MMA in Buffalo, along with a new strength and conditioning coach, Greg Jones at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Club.

“My team is my family. We have a great time during camp, always keeping it fun, but at the end of the day we know the only thing that matters is winning,” Abdallah said.

Click here to see the original article

Defeats Binghamton’s Tyler Bayer by Unanimous Decision

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

BUFFALO — Promising Lockport heavyweight kickboxer Joe Taylor improved to 3-0 with a unanimous decision victory last week over Binghamton’s Tyler Bayer at the LUX nightclub.

Taylor’s promoter, Amer Abdallah, said Lockport’s next hope of a kickboxing superstar was not expecting to be back in the ring so quickly.

“I’m bringing Joe up the ranks the right way — the way I came up. At this stage, I’m testing his will, courage and ability to take direction,” Abdallah said. “Where we believe he’s headed, he’ll need to have all three.”

Abdallah reached out to another local promoter and respected fight referee Angelo Castricone, who arranged a bout with the 6-foot 3-inch Bayer.

“I knew he was a tough MMA guy, with an impressive 4-0 record. He had momentum going for him, just as Joe did. It was going to be a battle of wills and I needed to see how Joe would deal with a guy like him,” Abdallah said.

Taylor was noticeably the smaller of the two combatants as they squared off in the center of the ring for the referee’s instructions, but by the time the opening bell sounded, the Lockportian was in complete control.

Taylor’s crisp jab rocked Bayer’s head back throughout the early rounds. “I told Joe to let him know he’s in a fight fast. Crack him hard and early,” Abdallah said.

Taylor staggered the tough Binghamton native with heavy combinations and kicks, but the undefeated Bayer wasn’t going away without a fight. Bayer was able to weather the storm of the first round and tried to regain his composure in the second.

But Taylor was simply too dominant and wouldn’t allow Bayer to gain any momentum. “Every time Bayer threw something, Joe had an answer,” Abdallah said.

In the final round Taylor clipped Bayer with a solid right uppercut that sent him into the ropes. Taylor landed a barrage of shots that landed with authority and thuds that brought the crowd to its feet. The tough mixed martial arts veteran was able to survive all three rounds, but the winner was evident.

“I tested Joe on many different levels and he passed each with flying colors,” Abdallah said. “This kid is the real deal and I know his father, Johnny, is watching and smiling down on us.”

All three judges scored it 30-27, a shutout in Taylor’s favor.

“Amer views Joe as the guy who’s going to take the torch from him and carry Lockport’s name in pride,” said Team Abdallah manager Ahmed Imamovic.

“He’s got big shoes to fill, but we’re confident he’s the future.”

Click here to see the original article

Lockport’s Joe Taylor Proves He’s No Flash in the Pan

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT — There were fists of fury and a couple of knees, elbows and feet thrown in for good measure throughout Saturday night’s professional kickboxing and muay thai fight card at the Kenan Center Arena.

But there just wasn’t quite the same degree of anticipation in the air as an Amer Abdallah main event. Abdallah was not on the card, but he did the next best thing, helping to organize and promote another sold-out event that brought together some of Lockport’s finest, including Mayor Michael Tucker and the best of the Lockport and local business community.

So while the crowd was thoroughly enjoying a terrific night of bouts that included a half dozen of promising young Lockportians, by 10 p.m. there still seemed to be something missing. And with just two fights to go on the 14-bout card, a lot of people were still looking up at the ring hoping to see someone emerge as the next great Lockport fighter.
Enter the dragon.

Joe Taylor’s first punch — a straight right hand — knocked Satbir Bassi to the canvass in the first few seconds of the first round. Lockport’s “Son of a Legend” went on to thoroughly dominate the Torontonian for three rounds and not only won the heavyweight fight by unanimous decision, but captured the hearts and souls of the large Lockport contingent of family and friends who attended.

Taylor, the son of the late Lock City boxing great Johnny Taylor, continues to carve out a promising career, improving to 2-0 with a dominating victory over a lanky, but tough and durable Maple Leaf fighter. Next up for Taylor is the Buffalo Golden Gloves competition in January. Taylor said he will continue to train with Corey Webster and Kendrick Huston at Western New York MMA in Buffalo.

Taylor took control of his fight from the first bell. Bassi countered the best that he could, but Taylor was simply too strong, landing a flurry of punches to the head in all three rounds, winning by the judges’ scores of 29-26, 30-27, 30-26.

“He was a lot tougher than the guy I beat earlier this year,” Taylor said, referring to his debut first-round knockout win last summer.

“Bassi was the toughest guy I ever fought — ever. He took shot after shot. I hit him with the first punch in the first round and he went down, then he got up and I thought, ‘Okay, maybe one more good shot,’ then finally I thought, ‘It’s going to be a long three rounds.’ “

Taylor thanked his family and friends in attendance for their support. They included his mother, Norma Taylor, his sisters Julie Taylor and Jennifer Sewar, brother Josh Taylor, grandmother May Davis and niece Dayla Mangine. He also thanked the Lockport Little Loop youth football team that he coaches, Abdallah and Lace Up Promotions for their continued support.

“I’ve been coaching that team three years now and we just had our banquet. I asked them if they’d like to lead me to the ring before my fight and it made me feel great that they would come out and do that,” Taylor said. “I have so many people who believe in me. Everyone at Lockport Little Loop is so supportive. They make me a better person every day.”

Taylor’s convincing win over Bassi garned the most attention, but the main event packed a meaner punch — or kick, actually.

Marc Stevens of Liverpool knocked out Buffalo’s Jay Bauman in their scheduled three round professional middleweight fight. Stevens got little support from the pro-Bauman crowd, especially after he knocked the Team Deleon fighter senseless with a powerful sweeping right foot to the chin at 2:16 of the first round.

Among other winners Saturday night were Team Andrello’s popular duo of junior middleweight Kevin VanNostrand and lightweight Luay Ashkar; and Buffalo’s middleweight bruiser Johnny Calixte.

VanNostrand knocked out Jeff “Captain Caveman” Denz of Buffalo just 12 seconds into the fifth and final round of their scheduled pro fight. Low blows by both fighters slowed the pace down significantly in the later rounds, but the KO was just a matter of time for the ring surgeon VanNostrand, who had Denz dazed and confused throughout.

Meanwhile, despite a strong start, Lockport heavyweight, Ali Kimmons was KO’d by Rochester’s Chuck Jewell in his final pro fight. A knee to the head by Jewel ended it 1:03 into the second round.

Abdallah said the event would not have been possible without his many sponsors.

“For the first time in 13 years I was able to appreciate an entire Lockport fight card from ringside, and witness first-hand the significance of sponsors like Jeff Folckemer, Dominick Ciliberto, Kyle Brent, Tim Mulvey, Scott Cain, Brian Junke, Brad Cline and Anthony Butera. Without them we wouldn’t be able to produce the sold out event we had on Saturday,” Abdallah said.

Two more locals, Lockport welterweight Matt Harrison and Starpoint lightweight Brandon Freiburger, both lost three-round bouts by unanimous decision. Harrison was defeated by Toronto’s Mark Diryas (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), while Freiburger lost to Sier Aziz of Weedsport (29-27, 29-27, 29-27).

“I’m so proud of our local warriors, Joe Taylor, Matt Harrison, Brandon Freiburger, Mike Moyer & Ali Kimmons for representing Lockport and this community,” Abdallah said.

“Win, lose or draw, it takes a lot of courage to get in there in front of your hometown and perform. I’m my biggest critic and I was able to see a lot of things that we can improve on, build, and enhance to give our crowd an even better show next June.”

FIGHT NIGHT NOTES: The ring ladies were Marissa Carcione, Cassidy Boyle and Megan Maurer … The ringside physician was Dr. Margaret Libby … Among those representing LLLF at the fight card were president Ritchie Blackburn and recently-retired head coach Gil Eaton … Others attending the fights included recently-retired city worker Tony Annalora, trainer Rob D’Angelo, former heavyweight contender Baby Joe Mesi and his father, Jack Mesi; and former Lockport High School clutch basketball and gritty soccer player Angelo DiMillo … Singing the National Anthem was Lockport businessman Pete Robinson.

Click here to see the original article