This article appeared in in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
By John D’Onofrio
Lockport’s Amer Abdallah has been ranked No. 5 in the world in the Cruiserweight Division by the World Kickboxing Association (WKA).
Abdallah, who will defend his United States Light Heavyweight (175-pound) Kickboxing Championship this June at the Kenan Arena, has been notified by the WKA that another win will qualify him for a WKA world championship fight.
“I’m so humbled and proud at the same time,” Abdallah said by phone from Las Vegas on Tuesday, where he continues to train under Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I’m so happy that I’m able to have a top five ranking. I tell people all of the time how proud I am that I come from a little town in Western New York called Lockport. It’s a lifelong dream come true and I’m happy to share it with my close friends and family,” Abdallah said.
Brian Crenshaw of Henrico, Va., the United States president of the WKA, made the official announcement last week in a letter to Abdallah.
“This letter is to inform you of your new WKA World Professional Ranking in the Men’s Full Contact Division,” Crenshaw wrote to Abdallah on April 8. “As of April 1, you are ranked 5th in the world in the Cruiserweight (189-pound) Professional Full Contact Division. Congratulations on this achievement.”
The WKA ranking is a dream come true for the unbeaten fighter and respected promoter Abdallah, who’s Lockport pro fight cards have placed the “Boxing City” back on the international map for the past 15 years.
Reached by phone on Tuesday, Crenshaw said the undefeated Abdallah (14-0) is known internationally for not only his brawn, but his heart.
“He’s been consistently thriving for a number of years and consistently challenges himself,” said Crenshaw, who plans on attending Abdallah’s June 7 fight card in Lockport.
As part of his preparation for his upcoming fight, Abdallah recently returned to Las Vegas to work with famed boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather.
Despite his previously being declared a top 10 WKA fighter, Abdallah had not received an actual number until now. In his last fight last July against Milwaukee’s Robert Katzfey at the Kenan Arena, the electrifying Abdallah won by knockout in less than two minutes of the opening round.
Abdallah’s opponent for the June 7 Kenan fight card is WKA European champion and MMA competitor James Wallis of Whales.
When asked what he knew about his opponent, Abdallah quipped, “Well, I know he’s going to be the guy I use to be 15-0.”
“Right now, I’m in Las Vegas and getting the best training with the best caliber guys in the world,” Abdallah said.
“I just finished watching Floyd do 30 minutes of continuous sparring. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of knowledgeable professionals.”