BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) – Lockport native Amer Abdallah made history Saturday night, knocking out Daniel Hughes to win the World Kickboxing Association Cruiserweight World Championship.
Abdallah KO’d the British kickboxing champion in the second round becoming the first local to win a world title in Western New York.
“The emotions are overwhelming. I’m proud, I’m humbled, excited,” he told 7 Eyewitness News on Sunday. “I feel accomplished. I feel like this is everything I’ve dreamed of ever since I laced up a pair of gloves when I was 11 years old.”
To win the title in his hometown makes the accomplishment even more special.
“That’s one of the emotions I’m having a hard time dealing with and grasping is that we made history (on Saturday). Aside from it being a lifelong goal that I accomplished, we made history,” he said. “It means everything to me.”
The 38-year-old Abdallah improved to 17-0 in his pro career and says he’s now ready to defend his title.
“The way that we felt last night, I can’t walk away from this. I’m a world champion and I’m going to defend my title.”
*This article first appeared on WKBW.com and can be seen HERE.