Main event combatants nearly start title fight day early

By John D’Onofrio Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT —

You can cut the anticipation with a knife for tonight’s professional mixed martial arts fight card at the Lockport Kenan Center Arena.

“Road to Glory” main event combatants Amer Abdallah of Lockport and Roert Katzfey of Wisconsin don’t like each other and that was evident moments after both light heavyweights weighed in at Lock 34 on Friday night for tonight’s main event at the Kenan Center Arena.

Abdallah, 13-0, weighed in at 187 pounds for tonight’s defense of his World Kickboxing Association United States Light Heavyweight championship. Katzfey, 10-2 in muay thai fighting and 3-3 in MMA competition, weighed in at 177 pounds. The two fighters started pushing and shoving, then had to be forcefully separated while posing for post weigh-in photos, adding fuel to the blazing fire started last week when Katzfey sent a video tape to Abdallah criticizing his Lockport gym, staff and abilities in general.

Accompanied by his manager, Jay Ellis, Katzfey is making his first visit to Lockport, weighing in at 177 pounds.

“I don’t know too much about Abdallah, other than he’s got an undefeated record and he’s the champion. He’ll be a tough opponent, but I’m not afraid. I’m going to be inside a lot, brawling,” Katzfey said.

When asked what he thought his chances were tonight, Katzfey said, “One hundred percent. I’ve been fighting my whole life. I started when I was five years old. I started out competing in tough man contests and worked my way up from there. I’m kind of winding down in my career now, training others more. I used to own a gym in Colorado and am hoping to someday start up another one.”

Abdallah, who earned his first WKA top-10 ranking earlier this year, is hoping tonight’s contest precludes a WKA world light heavyweight title shot sometime this fall.

Among the many others present at Friday night’s weigh-in were Corey Webster’s biggest fan, his father Paul, along with Team Abdallah coordinator Liz Bouchard, manager Ahmed Imamovic and strength and conditioning coach Gina Nowak from Abdallah’s Lockport Athletic & Fitness Center, “Road to Glory” sponsor Jeff Folckemer of Local Edge; and world reknown boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather of Las Vegas, the uncle of pro boxing’s biggest name today, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Imamovic served as Master of Ceremonies for Friday night’s weigh-in.