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City Gearing Up for Historic Night Aug. 1 at the Ulrich Centre.

By John D’Onofrio

LOCKPORT — It will be an historical night of firsts Aug. 1 when the Ulrich Centre downtown hosts not only the largest boxing venue in city history, but a fight card that will feature Lockportians in every bout.

Professional kickboxer and promoter Amer Abdallah has always been respectful of Lockport’s sacred boxing history, bringing together greats from the past, while showcasing those today.

It’s for these and other reasons that he said he’s trying to arrange the 8-to-10 fight night card so that every fight will have at least one Lockport fighter in it.

“That’s one of the things we’ve talked about that I wanted to do differently. It would be the first time ever,” Abdallah said, at a press conference earlier this week at the Ulrich Centre, where he was joined by Ulrich, Mayor Michael Tucker and event sponsor George V.C. Muscato.

Among the Lockport fighters scheduled to compete are Abdallah’s respected trainer Corey Webster, Richard Zang, Eric “The Candyman” Pulmeri, Mike “Hands of War” Moyer, Randy Brown, Becky Morris, Jason Petite, Pat Thompson and Brian Shmay.

Meanwhile, Abdallah is still negotiating this week for an opponent in the main event of the fight card being billed, “Downtown Throwdown.”

His long-time cornerman Andrew Herron of Mississaugua, Ontario, arrived in Lockport earlier this week to begin the final stages of his fighter’s training. Abdallah, the owner of Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center, has been working with one of his trainers, strength and conditioning coach Gina Nowak, since his last fight in April.

Abdallah (7-0), a former national champion, resumed his light heavyweight kickboxing career April 25 with a knockout victory over Jesse Colon of Cleveland, before a large and vocal crowd at the Kenan Center Arena. The fight was sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission.

Among those expected to attend his August fight is former world light heavyweight champion Angel Manfredi.

First-ever Lock City outdoor professional boxing card tentatively scheduled for Ulrich Center on Aug. 1.

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By John D’Onofrio

LOCKPORT — With one snap of his left leg, light heavyweight kickboxer Amer Abdallah answered a lot of questions on Saturday night.

Away from the professional ring for four years, Abdallah opened his comeback career with an impressive, fifth-round technical knockout victory over Cleveland’s Jesse Colone at the Kenan Center Arena.

The largest crowd in local boxing history — estimated at between 2,000 and 2,500 — was on hand to support not only Lockport’s Abdallah, but several other local fighters on the eight-bout card.

The success of the fight card prompted Abdallah and city businessman Dave Ulrich to strike a tentative deal on the city’s first ever outdoor professional card at the Ulrich Center on Aug. 1.

“This was the best show ever, in terms of turnout, community support and the way the show ran. My wife, Lizz — she didn’t miss a beat. I had so many compliments on the show from business owners who asked if they could help sponsor our next event,” Abdallah said.

“It was a great community experience. The CEO of The Talking Phone Book, Jeff Folckemer, was so impressed he bought pizza and nachos for the whole place. It was a stunning turnout — the biggest I’ve ever seen.”

Abdallah improved to 7-0 by dominating Colone in their light heavyweight main event, which was sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission.

“It was so awkward fighting him,” Abdallah said of Colone, 28, who gave up several inches in height.

“I never fought anybody as short as he was. I had problems kicking him. A lot of my kicks were flying over his head. But we made adjustments in the corner and that wasn’t much of a problem after the second or third round.”

Abdallah, 31, looked typically poised, confident and in tremendous physical shape, as referee Joe Pagan of Fredonia issued final instructions. When asked if he had any final questions, Abdallah told one official, “Can you count to 10?”

At the sound of the bell, Abdallah came out and immediately began working the body with a series of thunderous leg kicks. He went to the head successfully occasionally, but stuck to leg kicks to the body, which found their mark from the start.

He continued his body assault in the second and third, then as Colone started dropping his gloves to protect his body, Abdallah went upstairs like a technician and slowly, but surely, took him out.

“My game plan was simple,” Abdallah said. “My plan was ‘beat the body and the head will fall.’ He started protecting his ribs more, then (Abdallah trainer) Andrew (Heron) kept saying, ‘hold your kicks to the head until the fourth round.”

By that time, Abdallah was comfortably ahead on points and poised to win the fight by a unanimous decision.

However, Abdallah, a former state and national champion, gave the crowd its money worth with a knockout finish. He bloodied his challenger with a hard right hand in the fourth, then midway through the fifth, sent him to the floor with a sweeping left leg kick to the head that had the crowd on its feet for good. Colone beat the 10-count and rose to his feet, but he looked out of it. Abdallah stepped in to finish him off, as Pagan mercifully stopped the fight at 1:42 of the fifth.

Abdallah said his right hand and feet were a little sore after the fight from the blows he delivered, but added that remains in great shape.

“My wife said I’m still pretty,” he quipped.

Colone, who dropped to 13-3, said he hoped to fight Abdallah again in the future.

“He kicks real good. He was a good opponent,” said Colone,

Lockport martial arts instructor Corey Webster lost a three-round majority decision to Canadian Provincial Middleweight Champion Jesse Ronson of London, Ontario, in his middleweight comeback bid, but Webster had a lot to be proud of with the strong performances of his Western New York MMA stable.

Two of three fighters trained by Webster, Lockport’s Eric Plumeri, a middleweight; and welterweight Matt Harrison, were victorious. Plumeri earned a unanimous three-round decision win over Josh Fitzimmons of Hamilton, Ontario, and Harrison earned a three-round majority decision over Buffalo’s Tyler Clark.

“Corey was my main sparring part for this fight,” Abdallah said. “He’s the best. I’m so proud of him.”

Other fight night winners were cruiserweight Kassine Omar Cass of Buffalo, lightweight Chris Kyle of Liverpool, light heavyweight Jason Colone of Cleveland; and lightweight Kim Andrello of Liverpool.

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By John D’Onofrio

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Accepting his fate as “God’s will” and making the best of a second opportunity to showcase his kickboxing talents, Lockport’s Amer Abdallah is preparing for the biggest fight of his professional career this weekend.

Abdallah will take on Cleveland’s Jessie Colone at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Lockport Kenan Center Arena — a familiar site for Abdallah pro fight cards in previous years when he skyrocketed to the top of the state light heavyweight class.

Unbeaten in the ring, Abdallah’s only setback came three years ago when he was involved in an identity theft ring that landed him two years in prison. Since his release last year, Abdallah (6-0) has concentrated on returning to the pro ring, while trying to teach others to learn from his experience.

“The one mistake you make can cost you everything and that’s what I stress to everyone,” Abdallah said.

“That sent me back three years, but this was meant to happen. This was God’s will and I accept it with open arms. I spend a lot of times questioning things, but this is what God willed for me. I accept it and make the best of it.

“This was the one and only mishap in my life before and after that,” Abdallah said.

“I tell kids I never had a drug in my body or alcohol. After 10 p.m., I turn into a pumpkin. I never go to bars. I will continue to live a positive life style and surround myself with positive people.”

A frequent public speaker to local youths, including a visit two weeks ago to students at Lockport Opportunity Projects at Charlotte Cross, Abdallah said “suppressed anger, frustration and bitterness” is what got him through his difficult time.

“This is my time to bring it to a stage. This is my outlet. There have been so many hurtful things said about me. I lived with those things for three years while I was in an environment that was the most radical, dangerous intense warfare you can live in. Saturday’s fight is those three years coming to a surface.”

Colone, 28, a former WKA champion and amateur superstar who boasts a stocky frame, is 13-2 as a pro.

Support for his return to the ring has been “overwhelming,” Abdallah said. His many local sponsors for this weekend’s card include Talkingphonebook.com, ADPRO Sports, Mullane Motors, Cain Witlin Dry Accounting, Carubba Collision, Papa Leo’s, the Fieldstone Restaurant and Mulvey Construction.

“These are the biggest and best sponsors I’ve ever had. Support in the community has never been as high as it is now,” Abdallah said.

Team Abdallah middleweight and martial arts head instructor Corey Webster will also be making his hometown comeback. Webster will take on tough Canadian Provincial champion, Jesse Ronson. Also representing the Lock City are Mike “Hands of War” Moyer, who will face Jesse Colone’s brother, Jason Colone. Matt Harrison, Eric “The Candyman” Plumeri and Jason Pettite round out the local fighters on the card.

The official weigh-in for these bouts is slated for 5 p.m. Friday at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Club on South Transit Road and is open to the public.

For fight night tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. If the event is not sold out before Saturday, remaining tickets will be available at the door, on a first-come, first served basis.

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By John D’Onofrio

LOCKPORT — Lockport professional kickboxer Amer Abdallah will return to the ring for the first time in three years on April 25 when he takes on fellow light heavyweight Jessie Colone of Cleveland at the Kenan Center Arena.

Sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association, “Back with a Vengeance” will feature Abdallah (6-0) and Colone (13-2) in the main event, along with seven other fights that will include fellow Lockportians Corey Webster, Mike Moyer, Richard Zang and Eric Plumeri.

Tickets, which go on sale to the general public in less than two weeks, are $15 general admission, $25 ringside, $35 golden ringside and $75 VIP.

“I’ve never put so much into a camp in terms of personal feelings, as I have this one,” Abdallah said.

“This is everything to me. It’s what my career will be built on and my future based on. I’ve been down and have always picked myself up. I’m not running for office, so I don’t need anyone’s approval. I’ve done what I had to — period. Now, it’s my time.”

The Talking Phone Book is the main sponsor of the Kenan fight card, and there are several other local sponsors involved, including Mulvey Construction, Wittlin, Cain & Dry Accounting, Pap Leo’s and the Fieldstone Restaurant.

For the past six months, Abdallah, who owns and operates the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center on South Transit Road in the Town of Lockport, has been speaking to youth groups and other local organizations about the importance of sound decision making and the repercussions of such decisions.

“At this point in my life, working with community children tops my priority list. I’ve been there — done that. I’s time to go back to where I began — the kids,” said the former state light heavyweight champion Abdallah, who has trained dozens of Lockport youths in boxing and kickboxing.

Among those in the Abdallah stable for years is Webster, a former United States Boxing National Silver Medalist Webster. The 24-year-old middleweight works today as a Western New York Mixed Martial Arts Association head instructor.

“Hands of War” Moyer and Zang will fight as a super middleweights and Plumeri a middleweight, rounding out Lockportians on the fight card.

“Amer’s an amazing individual. He’s very serious and very confident. It’s the beginning of his pursuit for the world championship,” said Abdallah’s trainer and long time friend Team Abdallah Head Trainer Andrew Heron of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

“Amer hasn’t been in the ring for three years and has a lot of fire built up that has been brewing over the years. April 25 will be an explosive and ferocious night.”

Tickets for the April 25 fight card will be made available to Lockport Athletic & Fitness club members only beginning at 10 a.m. this Saturday. Tickets will be made available to the general public a week later, beginning at 10 a.m. on March 21 through Ticketmaster.com (1-800-745-3000). Those purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster.com will automatically be entered into a contest to win one of four local prizes — a 12-month membership to the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center, free pizza for a year from Papa Leo’s, dinner for two at the Fieldstone Restaurant and a men’s Movado watch.