BY JOHN D’ONOFRIO
john.donofrio@lockportjournal.com
This article first appeared in LockportJournal.com
It’s been a lifetime in the making.
Finally, a date, an opponent and a location have been set.Lockport’s Amer Abdallah, the No. 2-ranked cruiserweight kickboxer in the world, will challenge defending WKA world champion Gareth Richards of Wales, UK, Nov. 21 at the Kenan Center Arena.
It’s the first-ever world title fight in Lockport’s long and proud boxing/kickboxing/mixed martial arts history. Tickets for the event will go on sale at 5 p.m. on Oct. 16, at Ticketfly.com.
Abdallah, who currently boasts an undefeated 16-0 record, said he isn’t concerned about the biggest fight of his life landing after his 38th birthday.
“I could have won a world title while I was in my 20s, but I decided to pursue my business ventures and put my professional fighting career on the backburner,” Abdallah said. “I fight because I want to, not because I have to. I’ve always believed in myself to beat any man in front of me and this fight won’t be any different.”
Having been raised in Lockport, Abdallah has had the luxury of fighting at home throughout most of his professional career.
“One of my business ventures was starting Lace Up Promotions, where I became my own promoter. I didn’t have to answer to anyone or fight anywhere I didn’t want to. I built my team, structured the organization and developed several markets,” he said.
Currently, Lace Up Promotions hosts events in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, as well as in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
“We have a great organization and having me host the first ever world title fight and win it at home, only adds to Lace Up Promotions track record,” Abdallah said.
Abdallah said he fought hard to land a world title fight in his hometown.
“With the financial challenges to land such an event in Lockport, we had some great people behind us help get the job done,” Abdallah said. “For the first time in Western New York history, a local will fight for a world title in Western New York. I can’t tell you how proud I am that we were able to get this done.”
Team Abdallah will hold training camp in Las Vegas at the world famous Mayweather Boxing Club, under the direction of Head Boxing Coach Jeff Mayweather and kickboxing coach, two-time world champion Dewey Cooper. Abdallah has big guns in his corner and it’s just the way he likes it.
“I’m the best kickboxer and it’s only suitable to have the best trainers in the world,” Abdallah said.
Joining Abdallah in Vegas will be WNY MMA Head Trainer Corey Webster, a Lockport native, and Jim Andrello from the respected Team Andrello out of Liverpool, N.Y. — Abdallah’s long time trainers.
“Amer will be stronger, faster and sharper than you’ve ever seen him before,” Cooper said. “I’m proud to be a part of Team Abdallah and am confident that Amer will seize this moment and take home the world title.”