LOCKPORT —
The anticipation is so high, you can almost taste it.
Lockport's Amer Abdallah will defend his national American Kickboxing Association light heavyweight championship tonight against T.J. Gibson of Duluth, Minn. in the main event of an eight-card professional fight card at Lockport's Kenan Center Arena.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight beginning at about 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker was among the local dignitaries on hand at Friday night's official fight night weigh-in at Finnan's Bar & Grill on Lincoln Avenue.
Gibson (14-2) said he's been treated well since he first arrived in Western New York.
“I don't know too much about him,” Gibson said of Abdallah, who remains undefeated as a professional at 11-0. “I'm just a knockout artist. I've knocked out just about everybody I've boxed.”
The Abdallah-Gibson fight is scheduled for 10 rounds, as is the co-main event, a battle between Muzzamal Nawaz and Shannon Hudson for the WAKO Inter-Continental Championship.
Among other locals on tonight's fight card are former Starpoint football player and wrestler Kyle Gibas, who will take on Canada's Jessie James in a three-round heavyweight bout. Gibas (2-2) weighed in at 209 pounds.
“ When I first started, I just go thrown into the ring. Now, working with Corey Webster, I've learned to be more patient and not just go wild out there,” Gibas said.
Weighing in at 175 pounds was Lockport's karate great Brian Irr, who just got back from last week's United States Open International Karate Championships in Las Vegas, where he shined.
Irr, 2-0 as a pro kickboxer, placed second in the international North American Cup karate competition, then helped Team USA Karate place first, beating teams that included Bosnia, Kosovo, Mexico, Peru, Canada and Germany.
“I know we've got karate backgrounds. We're both tall and long we both like to kick,” Irr said of his opponent tonight, Sean Connor of Canada.
Other three-round bouts scheduled are Pat Thompson against A.J. Babour (cruiserweight), Tom Marlus versus Brian Macinanti (light heavyweight), Kassine OMar versus Justin Holden (super middleweight) and Chris Greig against Kevin Van Nostrandi (welterweight).
Sports
Related Photos
-
Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker, center, was among those on hand at Friday night's weigh-in at Finnan's for tonight's professional kickboxing fight card at the Kenan Arena. At left and right, respectively, are light heavyweight main event combatants Amer Abdallah of Lockport and T.J. Gibson of Duluth, MN. John D'Onofrio/Staff
Fight Night Saturday at the Kenan Center Arena
Lockport's Lockport's Amer Abdallah will defend his national light heavyweight title against T.J. Gibson of Duluth, MN.
- Sports
-
-
Lions' '9' wins NFL championship
It might not have been the prettiest Niagara Frontier League baseball win on record, nor the most convincing, but head coach Steve Styrzo’s Lockport Lions have written the book on strong pitching and timely hitting throughout this past season.
-
David Ragan revisited
What could Sunday’s Talladega winner David Ragan possibly have to do with Lockport and Western New York?
-
Lockport's Tolli is 3-time Patriot champ
Lockport native Caroline Tolli recently concluded one of the top all-around careers in Bucknell track and field history.
-
Together again
A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.
-
Rampage preseason opener is Saturday
Lockport football fans are gearing up for the premier this Saturday afternoon of the city's newest semi-pro football team, the Lockport Rampage.
-
Barker's Hefferon signs for Seton Hill
Barker senior, Jessica Hefferon signed a National Letter of Intent recently to attend Seton Hill University on an academic and women’s field hockey scholarship.
-
Lord have Mercy
Lockport's Khari Demos will bring a variety of talents with him to Mercyhurst College this fall.
-
LHS senior is diving into college
One of the greatest female divers in Lockport High School history will take her talents and impecable timing to the University of Akron.
-
Reid selects Daemen College
Alex Reid spoke softly and carried a Giant Sequoia throughout his athletic career at Lockport High School.
-
Lockport/Ken East strike cancer out
Niagara Frontier League varsity softball players from Lockport and Kenmore East high schools participated Monday in the second-annual Strike Cancer Out contest at LHS.
- More Sports Headlines
-
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
Red Sox Fans: Boston 'Getting Back to Normal'
