BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Guess where the curtain will drop on Amer Abadallah as he fights for a World Kickboxing Title?
We had offers to do it in Dubai, we had offers to do it in Las Vegas, a couple of bigger cities,” Abadallah says.
“But Lockport’s home.”
The 39-year-old kickboxer will fight for a title in his adopted hometown, where he grew up after moving from Jordan, when his father won a bid to own eight McDonald’s restauarants.
Abdallah has tried to set up a title bout in the past, but in November of 2015, Gareth Richards backed out of the fight at the last minute.
“Gareth Richards decided not to get on that plane, not to come,” Abdallah said. “It was a very tough pill to swallow, for me, my team, my community, my supporters, everybody.”
Now Abdallah will face Daniel Hughes sometime around 9 p.m. Saturday night. The two have already appeared for weigh-ins, leaving nothing else left but the bout in the ring.
“My fans have been very loyal to me, fiercly loyal to me. And they’ve been with me throughout everything,” Abdallah said. “And it’s only right and only proper to do things the right way. When we’re ready to end it and on a big scale like this, it’s gotta be in Lockport.”
Doors open at 5:00pm at Kenan Arena.
This article first appeared on wivb.com.