Baby Joe Mesi and Team Abdallah are supporting Corey Webster.
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Local popular middleweight kickboxer Corey Webster has capped off his brilliant amateur career in boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts Wednesday by signing with Lace Up Promotions.
“Corey is the guy everyone wants to cheer for. He’s very respectful, family-oriented, genuinely kind and can fight well,” said Lace Up CEO Amer Abdallah. “I absolutely love this kid.”
Abdallah will fight for a national light heavyweight championship on Nov. 12 at the Kenan Center Arena against Francois Ambang of Camaroon, Africa. The fight is sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association USA.
Also on the fight card are other local favorites, including Webster, who will be making his pro debut, and Newfane’s Brian Irr.
Among those on hand to welcome Webster into the Lace Up stable were Abdallah, Lace-Up vice president Lizz Bouchard, strength and conditioning coach Gina Nowak; and making a special apperance, retired undefeated professional heavyweight boxer Baby Joe Mesi, along with a date, his 18-month-old daughter, Juliet.
“I’m here to show support for both Amer and Corey. They’re great fighters and they bring a great sport to Lockport and Western New York,” Mesi said.
“Corey reminds me a lot of myself when I was boxing,” said the world’s former number one-ranked professional heavyweight boxing contender. “He’s not afraid to get hurt. He’s not afraid to lose or go down. He has a tremendous work ethic as well.”
Webster earned a national silver medal in the Ringside boxing tournament and competed in over 15 other boxing matches. His kickboxing career flourished as he became dubbed the “Canadian Killer” after knocking out his past five Canadian opponents as he’s developed a huge following in supporters and fans along the way.
Webster joined Abdallah’s downtown gym in the late 1990’s and developed himself into one of the most diligent and hardest workers in the gym.
“We’d call him a gym rat. He’d be the first in and the last out. His work ethic is unparalleled,” Abdallah said.
Making the transition to the pro ranks is something Corey has been anticipating and debating with Lace Up promotions for quite some time.
“We wanted to give him some tough tests late in his amateur career and see how he handled himself. Without a doubt, he passed with flying colors. We are excited to manage and promote Corey to a prosperous and victorious professional career,” said Lace Up vice president Lizz Bouchard.
“Corey has been with us since his amateur days and we are looking forward to carrying that over to the professional ranks. More than being an athlete of ours, he is part of our family.”
Heading up Webster’s strength and conditioning is Lace Up’s head trainer Gina Nowak. Currently in camp with Abdallah, Nowak welcomes the opportunity to work with Corey and develop his speed, agility and strength.
Tickets for the event will be available at the Lockport Athletic & Fitness club beginning Saturday or at Ticketmaster.com.
Also on the card, Alexis Davis will defend her women’s lightweight title.
