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Lockport Favorite Kevin VanNostrand Also Wows ESPN National Audience

By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

For the first time in history, a Lockport fighter has earned a ring victory at Madison Square Garden.

Joe “Son of a Legend” Taylor shook off a close, split-decision loss two months ago to Canadian Joe George at the Kenan Arena, by knocking out the man who once beat George, Ariel Sepulveda of the Dominican Republic, at Glory 43 at MSG, boxing’s greatest venue in the world.

Taylor’s electrifying second round kickboxing knockout victory in the middleweight class Friday night came at 2:55 of the second round before a partisan “Lockport” crowd at MSG that included Taylor’s mother and children. Taylor dedicated the win to his late father, former boxing great Johnnie Taylor of Lockport, who once fought at MSG.

Among those in Taylor’s corner were mixed martial arts promoter and trainer Amer Abdallah and head trainer Corey Webster, both Lockport natives, along with Jim Andrello from Team Andrello in Syracuse. Andrello’s fighters, including featherweight Kevin VanNostrand (16-1), have graced the Kenan Center Arena ring at Lockport fight cards for two decades.

“When we first got there, they shuttled us in and Joe said he wanted to look at the arena and get a feel for it,” said Abdallah.

“Joe, (Taylor’s head trainer) Corey Webster and I walked in and just looked up and around at those famous lights on the ceiling and none of us said nothing for about 10 seconds. The moment just took us all by surprise. There was dead silence. We all took a deep breath and nodded our heads. Not a word was said. We made an unspoken agreement at that moment. We knew what we had to do.”

Among the highlights of the evening was Taylor’s announcement by the ring announcer.

“When the announcer said, ‘Representing Lockport, New York … the people in the audience from Lockport — there were a lot of people from back home — went crazy. It was unbelievable.

“When we got back to the locker room, I was crying and Corey was emotional. Joe looked at me and said, ‘My kids just saw that’ and then he got real emotional. Joe’s an emotional guy. You could see how much this meant to him and his family. He made history.”

Abdallah said Taylor’s next opponent will be rest. He’s giving his fighter — now 3-1 as a professional with 2 KOs — at least a month off to get some much needed rest and relaxation, following two big fights in two months time.

“We’ll talk about his future then. Right now he needs rest,” Abdallah said.

Meanwhile, VanNostrand (15-1, 11 KOs) quickly became the talk of the town with two most impressive, nationally-televised victories that had ESPN commentators praising him as a new star in the featherweight division, nationally.

First, VanNostrand used a seldom-seen “back-hand punch” to annihilate Mo Abdurahman via TKO at 1:52 of the first round, then in the finals, earned a split decision win over Giga Chikadze, 30-26, 26-30, 30-26.

“We’ll be talking with Kevin (today) about a multi-fight contract,” Abdallah said. “Our goal is winning the world championship and right now, with this performance, Kevin is now the number one contender in the world for it. He predicted before the tournament what would happen. He said, “By the time I leave here, everyone will know who I am.’ And they do now after winning on the world stage with people from 170 different countries watching. I was huge,” Abdallah said.

In VanNostrand’s corner at MSG were Andrello, Abdallah and co-trainer A.J. Regulbuto.

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via Glory Kickboxing Website
Photo Credit – James Law, GLORY Sports International

Joe Taylor grew up in Lockport, New York, the son of of a professional boxer. His father wanted his son to follow him into the fight game and he did, albeit later in life than his father had envisaged.

“The best words I can use to describe my life growing up was “a struggle”. We grew up poor, but my parents always worked hard to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads. I was in the streets doing what kids in the street do…get in trouble,” he relates.

“My father was a legendary professional boxer in upstate New York. I used to hear stories about him never dodging a fight, taking bouts on days notice and his true grit and strength along with a heart of a champion.

“He always wanted me to become a fighter, but I was too busy getting into trouble and finding myself on the other side of the law. It wasn’t until after he passed in 2013 that I decided to fulfill my fathers wishes and carry out his legacy.

“On my 26th birthday, I decided I didn’t want this life any more and I needed to make a significant change. I started an apprenticeship program in carpentry, enrolled myself in college and that was my first step.

“I then approached a local professional world champion kickboxer, Amer Abdallah, who also trained with my father. I wanted to begin fighting but he turned me away; he told me ‘Come back when you’re serious about this’.

“Two years went by, my father passed away and I dedicated myself to combat sports. I sat in Amer’s office and told him “I’m in 100%, this is now my life”. He set me up with a team, a trainer, a program. He also introduced and flew me out to the Mayweather Boxing Club where I come out to train with the best in the world.

“In 2013 I sent a message to GLORY kickboxing and said “I will see you soon”. Here we are, four years later, on the biggest stage in the world and living my dreams. I’ve won an amateur world title, national titles and Golden Gloves championships, en route to becoming the GLORY world champion, God willing.”

Taylor says that his father’s passing has lit a fire under him which will drive him to the top of the middleweight division. He is thrilled to get his call-up to GLORY but also taking it in stride: “The other guys are excited to be here. I belong here. That’s the difference,” he says.

At GLORY 43 NEW YORK next week he will face fellow NY-state resident Ariel Sepulveda, a veteran of one previous GLORY appearance (he lost to Dustin Jacoby at GLORY 23 LAS VEGAS).

Both Taylor and Sepulveda are looking to stake a claim to a regular spot on the roster when they throw down next week at Madison Square Garden, as well as searching for bragging rights as the top dog at 185lbs in New York State.

GLORY 43 NEW YORK takes place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York on Friday, July 14.

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via Glory Kickboxing Website
Photo Credit – James Law, GLORY Sports International

Kevin VanNostrand’s last appearance in the GLORY ring was a February 2016 decision loss to Giga Chikadze at GLORY 27 CHICAGO. A year and a half later, in his home state of New York, he got his revenge, out-landing Chikadze to take a decision win and victory in the Featherweight Contender Tournament.

VanNostrand booked his spot in the final via a semi-final destruction of British debutante Mo Abdurahman, overwhelming him in a whirlwind of technical savagery. There was not the slightest pretence of a feeling-out process.

He simply met Abdurahman as he came forward and went right into a clean flow of combination shots. Abdurahman got rocked; VanNostrand just kept on him, combination after combination, pouring the pressure on.

Abdurahman bravely fought his way back into the fight only to find himself caught again and on the defensive. A knockdown seemed inevitable. When it came, it was one of the most impressive pieces of timing and setup that the GLORY ring has ever hosted.

VanNostrand backed Abdurahman onto the ropes, herded him into place with his hands and then hit a spinning backfist which put the Brit down. That one will be a feature of many, many highlight reels of the future.

Abdurahman beat the count. He was on shaky legs but still game for the fight and re-entered the fray unhesitatingly. Unfortunately for him VanNostrand was ready and waiting. He intercepted Abdurhman, caught him clean and then resumed barraging him until he scored another knockdown.

That knockdown ended the fight under the two-knockdowns rule which governs tournament bouts and sent VanNostrand through to the final.

Chikadze’s route took a little longer. He faced Russia’s Alexey Ulianov, a team mate of light-heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov. They had a tough, technical battle, hammering each other with kicks, knees and punches.

They went to the judges and it looked like Ulianov was going to take the win, only for the judges to give the nod to Chikadze, who had deployed by far the most flamboyant shots of the fight.

In the final it seemed like VanNostrand would have the advantage, having expended less energy, but things were very even. The two were highly motivated and very hungry for the win, both seeing themselves as worthy title challengers and a future champion.

Things were competitive. Early on Chikadze looked to be in the driving seat and dominating the fight, but he hurt himself with a foolish move in the second round, picking VanNostrand up during a clinch and slamming him into the floor. That earned him a point deduction from referee Dan Miragliotta.

In the event, the point deduction was irrelevant. After three rounds, the judges saw VanNostrand as the winner of every round. The deduction only made Chikadze’s score lower. VanNostrand put on a career-best performance, made a statement about himself and booked himself a title shot in his home arena. Not a bad night’s work for the man from Syracuse.

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At GLORY 43, Kevin Vannostrand drops Mo Abdurahman with a spinning back fist in the first round. Abdurahman would get up, but would shortly be sent back down to the canvas and the fight is called.
via espn.com

Lockport Cruiserweight Headed to NYC in July

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

It was a disappointing set back last week for Lockport’s Joe Taylor, but there’s good news on the horizon for the hometown hero and knockout artist.

Taylor lost by split decision last Saturday to Canadian Joe George for the WKA Northeast Title in a five-round brutal affair at the Kenan Arena.

Two out of three ringside judges awarded George the fight by 1 point and one judge had it in Taylor’s favor by a point.

“The loss was a learning experience,” Taylor said. “I feel like I could have won the fight if I fought a little harder. You live to learn and I’m blessed to live and fight another day.”

“The learning experience is invaluable” added Taylor’s head coach Corey Webster of Western New York MMA in Buffalo. “While the goal is to win them all, there are bumps along the way.”

The question on everyone’s mind now is, whats next?

Lace Up Promotions CEO Amer Abdallah said the fight was a close one.

“It could have gone either way and we obviously would have liked to get a hometown decision, but that’s what keeps the sport clean and we all respect the decision of the judges,” Abdallah said. “I stayed with Joe all night after the fight. Aside from him being my fighter, he’s my little brother and a close friend. We talked, laughed and began planning the next step.”

Abdallah, Webster and Taylor have decided to continue to push Taylor’s career forward.

“We’re taking Joe Taylor to Madison Square Garden.” Abdallah said. “For the first time in almost 40 years, a Lockport fighter will fight in Madison Square Garden on a worldwide stage. The largest kickboxing promotion in the world ‘GLORY,’ will host Glory 43 on July 14 in New York City at the world famous boxing mecca, Madison Square Garden. I have a wonderful relationship with GLORY and we wanted a big fight for Joe. We aren’t aren’t looking for soft touches. We’re in champion-building mode.”

Added Webster, “I believe stepping on to the big stage will bring out the best Joe Taylor we’ve seen yet. His desire to succeed is unparalleled.

It won’t be easy for the former Lockport semi-pro football all-star running back Taylor (2-1), who will now fight a kickboxer who once beat Joe George, veteran Ariel Sepulveda (4-2).

“It’s an honor to fight in Madison Square Garden,” Taylor said.

“Not too many people have the opportunity to do so. Everything is on the line and I can’t take another loss. I need a big win. It’s all or nothing and we didn’t make it this far to turn around now.”

Only three other Lockport fighters have ever fought at the Garden, Tommy Hicks (1972), Pat Cuillo (1979) and Taylor’s father, Johnnie Taylor (1971).

“These lockport legends paved the way for all of todays champions,” Abdallah said. “Joe will be the fourth person in history to represent our hometown in the Garden and will do so in front of the world”.

Added Taylor, “I thank God for everything and thank Lace Up Promotions, my family, and my community for their support. My sponsors, the McClains, Johnsons and Harris Construction for believing in me. I believe bigger and better things in life will always come.”

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