Abdallah Makes Final Preparations for Saturday’s Historic Bout
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
You couldn’t miss the flashes of lightning and claps of thunder on Wednesday night — and I’m not talking about the weather.
Lockport professional light heavyweight Amer Abdallah lit up his trainers with thunderous punches and kicks throughout Wednesday’s open training session at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center on South Transit Road.
Abdallah and other fighters showcased will be featured on Saturday’s inter-continental fight card at the Kenan Center Arena. The main event pits WKA United States Light Heavyweight champion Abdallah verses European champion James Wallis (19-5) of the United Kingdom.
LA&FC owner and Abdallah strength and conditioning coach Greg Jones greeted dozens in attendance, as a half dozen fighters in the Lace Up Promotions stable worked with their trainers.
The hard-hitting, undefeated Abdallah (14-0), the No. 5 ranked cruiserweight in the world, predicts Saturday’s main event won’t go the distance.
“It’s scheduled for 10 rounds, but you know, I don’t like judges’ decisions,” Abdallah said, after working out with his trainer, Jeff Mayweather, uncle of world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I feel strong, I’m ready and I’ve never felt better in my life. My opponent’s a good mover and a good kicker and puncher — definitely one of the two or three best fighters I’ve ever fought,” Abdallah said.
“We’re ready for the best James Wallis that comes. The most important thing is he’s fighting the best Amer Abdallah.”
Abdallah worked briefly with his trainer, Jeff Mayweather, landing booming punches and leg kicks that echoed off the walls.
Mayweather, who arrived in Lockport from his Las Vegas gym two weeks ago, said his fighter’s ready to rumble.
“Amer’s looking real strong — real sharp. He’s focused,” Mayweather said. “He’s in one of those fighter’s moods — almost everything ticks him off right now — but that’s a good thing. He’s in great shape physically and mentally. We watched a little footage on Wallis and he seems to be a runner, so we’ve got to cut the ring down and force him to fight.”
Among others on the fight card include Lockport’s Joe Taylor, Kendrick Huston, Eric Pulmeri, Andre Carroll and Lockport High School senior Tyler Rodier; Buffalo’s Ed Rodgers and Sweet Home junior Brandon Freiburger; and popular women’s kickboxer, Damiana Andrello of Syracuse.
The knockout specialist and hometown favorite Taylor makes another triumphant return to the ring, boasting a 3-0 record, with three KOs. Joining the former semi-pro football star will be his usual entourage of youth football players representing Lockport Little Loop Football.
“I’ve been training very hard — working on my kicking with Corey (Webster, trainer),” Taylor said. “I want to show people that yes, I can punch, but I can kick, too.”
Huston makes the transition from trainer to fighter, in another hometown return to the ring. Huston has 14 career bouts under his belt and will fight Corey Howell in a heavyweight bout.
“It feels great to be back. I feel like a million bucks,” said Huston, 32. “I’ve been working hard. I’m not the trainer any more, I’m the trainee. The biggest difference is my weight. I was 253 pounds when I started this. Now I’m down to 222.
“My plan is to stay calm and use my jab to keep him off me. I know he out-weighs me by about 100 pounds,” Huston said.
Pulmeri has been fighting locally for about a decade. He said a win on Saturday could propel him to a pro contract. He’ll be fighting Canadian Andy Upchurch in a light heavyweight bout.
Rodier, who makes his ring debut at 150 pounds, said it’s been a dream of his to climb into the ring, after having watched and admired Abdallah for years.
“I’ve watched Amer growing up in Lockport and I’m so glad that my mom met him and told him about me and got me started. I’m excited and ready to fight,” said Rodier, who will take on Toronto’s Jendrell Patton.
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.
Among others attending Wednesday’s open training session were Brian Marciniak from BoxerSponsors.com, local photographer/musician Dave “Doc” Stockton, photographer Jay Stoos from Lace-Up Promotions and sponsor Jeff Folckemer from Local Edge Media.
Saturday’s event is being co-sponsored by Mulvey Construction (Tim Mulvey), ADPRO Sports, All Metal Works (Dominick Cilliberto), KJ Motorsports.com (Kyle Brent), Cain, Witlin, Dry Accountants (Scott Cain), Executive Landscaping (Tony Butera), Lock34 (Brian Junke) and Pizza Oven (John Rinaldo).
