Abdallah Picks Apart Tough Englishman at Sold Out Kenan Arena; Awaits Word from WKA President Crenshaw on World Title Fight
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
LOCKPORT — The morning after trading punches at Saturday’s historic fight at the Kenan Center Arena, Lockport’s Amer Abdallah and James Wallis of the United Kingdom said goodbye by trading text messages.
Abdallah’s hard-fought, 10-round unanimous decision victory over the Swansea, UK brawler was fresh on both fighters’ minds — and bodies.
“I woke up to a text message from James. He said, ‘Hey champ, how sore are you today?’ I sent one back and said ‘About as sore as you are,’” quipped Abdallah, the WKA United States Light Heavyweight champion, who’s 97-92, 97-94, 97-94 victory sets the stage for a coveted world title shot.
“I feel strong, but obviously I’m a little sore today,” said the undefeated Abdallah (15-0), who was cut — not seriously — over the left eye by an accidental head butt late in the fight. Great corner work helped Team Abdallah overcome that temporary obstacle.
“Right at the opening bell, he hit me with a roundhouse kick that I blocked, but I could tell that he was very strong. His physique alone, was deceiving. He was very solid. He came in over-weight (196 pounds, compared to Abdallah’s 184), but he was durable. And we knew he was a mover, so our plan was to make him fight a way he wasn’t used to.”
Abdallah dominated the pace and tempo throughout, but Wallis showed tremendous stamina and came up with a few magic tricks of his own.
“When I dropped him in the 10th round, I hit him and he buckled, so I started to turn around when I saw him on the way down, but I guess he caught the rope and got right back up because when I turned around he was standing there,” Abdallah said.
“I’d give myself a B-minus as a grade. He put up a good fight and used his head very well. He was definitely one of the toughest fighters I’ve ever faced. And he was a class act.”
Next up, Abdalah awaits word from World Kickboxing Association president Brian Crenshaw on his promise of getting a world title shot by virtue of Saturday’s win.
“We’ll find out next week where we are. We did our work. Now we’ll take a step back and look at the offers that come in,” Abdallah said.
“They promised it and we’re going to hold them to it. They’re a respectable organization and they do what they say. I have all the faith in the world in Brian Crenshaw and the WKA. I’m very optimistic.”
Abdallah-Wallis was the main event of a 12-bout fight card that also featured several other outstanding local fighters, including Lockport’s Erick Plumeri, Andre Carroll, Joe Taylor, Kendrick Huston and Tyler Rodier.
Rodier may have dropped his debut welterweight bout against Paton Cambell of Whitby, Ontario, Canada by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), but he earned the respect of his opponent, fight fans and most especially, Abdallah.
“I’ve never left the locker room on the night of the fight before my fight, but I came out after Tyler’s fight because I wanted him to know how proud I was of him,” Abdallah said. “He’s been training very hard the past two years and has overcome so many obstacles. There were times where a lot of people might have thrown in the towel, but he just kept going. He never quit. He’s become such a tremendous young man.”
Rodier’s raucous cheering section included his mom, Wendy Baszko.
“The hometown atmosphere was exciting and the fans and my family were very supportive,” Rodier said. “I loved the atmosphere. It was great having your debut in your hometown. I’ve had a lot of support from my trainers who put in a lot of time for me. At the end of the day I gave it my all and I hung in there. We didn’t get the win, but we’ll get’em next time.”
Plumeri is expected to turn pro soon, after yet another solid performance. Plumeri thoroughly defeated Aleks Trajeski of Toronto by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, in their three-round amateur fight in the super middleweight division.
It might as well have been 30-0, 30-0, 30-0, as Plumeri used his superior strength and ring mobility to corner his opponent mercilessly in a three-round relentless beating.
“I’ve been so pumped to get back in the ring. I was ready months ago,” Plumeri said. “I want to thank everyone who made tonight possible.”
Added Abdallah, “Erick looked fantastic, and as you know, he’s been around for a long time. He’s a great advocate and ambassador of the sport and he’s got a bright future. I’m looking forward to him moving up to the pro ranks.”
Huston earned a unanimous three-round heavyweight win over Kory Howell of Auburn, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27. Lockport’s other heavyweight, Joe Taylor, improved to 4-0 with four knockouts, after disposing of Buffalo’s Fred Baldwin in 61 seconds of their scheduled three-round bout.
Carroll dropped a three-round heavyweight bout to Buffalo’s Ed Rodgers by unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.
In other fight night bouts:
- Middleweight (3 rounds): Quamaine Austin (Buffalo) def. Kenrick Kamil (Toronto) by split decision, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.
- Welterweight (3 rounds): Scott Skinner (Buffalo) def. Craig Diego (Auburn) by unanimous decision, 29-26, 29-27, 29-26.
- Welterweight (3 rounds): Timothy Allen (Auburn) def. Ian Niblett (Whitby, Ontario) by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
- Lightweight (3 rounds): Michael Nicholson (Kitchener, Ontario) def. Mueyaid Ashkar (Liverpool) by split decision, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28.
- Flyweight (3 rounds): Amenzee Omozuwa (Toronto ) def. Damiana Andrello (Liverpool) by unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28.
- Lightweight (5 rounds): Luay Ashkar (Liverpool) def. Jordan Graham (Belleville, Ontario) by unanimous decision, 50-42, 50-44, 50-42.
“It was a win-win for everybody Saturday night,” Abdallah said. “We had a record number of people at the gates and the community which has always supported us did so again. It was a great night,” Abdallah said.
FIGHT NIGHT NOTES — Saturday’s paid attendance topped 2,500, making it the largest boxing card — indoor or outdoor — in Lockport history … Among those working security were Tony Ventura, Denny Sobieraski, Lenny Thomas and Jason Heschke … Among the special guests were former heavyweight contender “Baby” Joe Mesi and his father, Jack Mesi … The ring physician was Robert Richman.
