BY JOHN D’ONOFRIO    john.donofrio@lockportjournal.com

Ventura. Hicks. Hackmer. Cuillo. Taylor. Gill. Esposito. Ford.

All had tremendous ring careers, making a name for themselves not only their hometown of Lockport, N.Y., but at venues, big and small, throughout the United States and for some, the world.

One, Newfane’s beloved “Fighting Schoolteacher” light heavyweight boxer Tommy Hicks, fought for a world championship — and that was in Scranton, Pa. in the fall of 1971.

The great heavyweight boxer Tony Ventura of Lockport was trained at Miami’s historic 5th Street Gym by Muhammad Ali’s immortal cornerman Angelo Dundee. His power-punching career took him to large venues that included stadiums in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and London.

The popular stick of dynamite Billy “Little Red Hackmer,” under the late great trainer Rob D’Angelo, became a Buffalo’s Ring 44 Boxing Hall of Famer, three-time New York State Golden Gloves champ, Empire State Games gold medalist, a National PAL champion and was a proud member of the United States Boxing Team in international competition.

And professional heavyweight Cuillo, 24-9 with nine knockouts, stands alone, having fought five world champions.

None of these former Lockport greats ever had an opportunity to fight for a world title in their hometown.

Amer Abdallah, Lockport’s long-time gym owner, fitness and mixed martial arts trainer and professional champion, will add to this city’s long, distinguished ring history this Saturday night when he takes on England’s Dan Hughes for the World Kickboxing Association Cruiserweight Championship at the Kenan Arena.

A large and raucous crowd is expected when the undefeated Abdallah (16-0), 38, takes to the familiar ring local fight fans have grown accustomed to.

The Lockport native, now residing in the fighting capital of the world, Las Vegas, Abdallah arrived in Lockport last week, as he prepares for this weekend’s WKA-sanctioned main event against the Englishman and British Champion Hughes. It’s the first professional world title fight ever that features a Western New York native.

“I’m the longest active fighter in this area” Abdallah said. “I took time away from my own personal career to build and develop my promotions company and to work on other business ventures. If I ever find myself a step behind these younger, faster guys, I’ll walk away. But that hasn’t happened yet.”

Abdallah will fight for the vacant WKA Cruiserweight title. Last November, a WKA title bout at the Kenan between Wales native Gareth Richards and Abdallah was scheduled to take place, but Richards never boarded his flight.

“We worked hard to put another fight together and it wasn’t an easy emotional step for me,” Abdallah said of last fall’s setback, adding optimistically, “but the time is now and I’m hungrier than ever.”

Also on Saturday’s international mixed martial arts fight card will be the long-awaited professional debut of Lockport superstar and amateur champion, “Son of a legend” Joe Taylor. The heavy-handed knock-out artist has compiled an astounding amateur career consisting of an IKF Classic national title, WKA national title, two-time Golden Glove champion, an MMA championship and an amateur world tournament gold medal.

“Joe is the future of Lockport kickboxing, boxing and MMA,” Abdallah said. Taylor will take on Rodolfo Barcello of Syracuse, who already has a six bouts in his professional career (4-2).

Popular local middleweight Eric “The Candyman” Plumeri will also make his professional debut against Syracuse MMA fighter Evander Russ.

Other exciting fights on the card include the two highest-ranked Lace Up Promotions middleweights, “Superfly” Sean Felton and Corey Vail doing battle for the title.  Kenmore schoolteacher Ayanna Tramont will get her chance to claim the women’s middleweight title as she battles Canadian Mindy Hall.

VIP tables, VIP seating and ringside seating is sold out for the event. General admission tickets are still available, either in person at the Lockport Athletic Club or online at Ticketfly.com. Tickets will also be available at the door at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Among the many local sponsors of the event are Seneca Poker, Mulvey Construction, All Metal Works, Executive Landscaping, Papa Leos, BLING!, C&M Plumbing, Aquaholicks, Scott Cain – Cain, Witlin, Dry, Lockport Athletic Club and Collins Accounting.

Weigh-ins are scheduled at 6 p.m. Friday at the Seneca Poker room and are open and free to the public.

Contact US&J Sports Editor John D’Onofrio at john.donofrio@lockportjournal.com.