Abdallah retains his WKA title, Irr & Gibas victorious at Kenan pro fight card Saturday night
By John D’Onofrio Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
LOCKPORT — If Saturday’s “Und1sputed” professional kickboxing fight card proved anything to the thousands attending at the Kenan Center Arena, it’s that Lockport fighters are undisputedly worth their weight in blows.
Light heavyweight Amer Abdallah of Lockport successfully retained his World Kickboxing Association United States championship belt, beating up on T.J. Gibson of Duluth, Minn. in their 10-round main event. Other winners include Lockport’s Kyle Gibas and Brian Irr, making for yet another loud, happy hometown atmosphere at the sold-out Kenan Arena.
Abdallah (12-0), who has fought more than a half dozen times at the Kenan in his pro career, was in control throughout his title fight, pounding Gibson with a consistent left leg-right hand combination to the head that found their mark throughout the 10-round battle. Gibson’s thundering right hand was negated by Abdallah’s superior ring movement, as the Lockport gym owner and trainer sidestepped the attacks, then countered successfully, keeping the powerful Gibson off balance and unable to deliver a balanced blow.
Abdallah seized control of the fight only seconds after referee Joe Pagan started it with his trademark thundering leg kicks. The fighters exchanged some light blows, then Abdallah delivered his first impressive left leg-right hand combo that got the large crowd going. “We were thowing a lot of different things at him to see how he reacted and we found that there two elements that he couldn’t figure out. My lead leg roundhouse high and the straight right hand,” Abdallah said. “They became our tools. He adapted well and he’s used to taking punishment.”
Gibson, a former international kickboxing champion, took more punishment in the second. A wicked left leg-right hand dropped the Minnesotean. Pagan gave him an eight-count and the fight rolled on. Abdallah cruised through the middle rounds with better combinations and fluid movement, but Gibson was a warrior and kept coming.
“I hurt my hand in the sixth round,” Abdallah said. “I hit him on the top of his head and felt it crack. I shook it for the rest of the round and thought I might have broken it, but we had x-rays done after the fight and it’s just badly bruised.”
By the 10th round, the fight was already decided, but Abdallah went for the knockout and almost got it. Gibson tried a spinning kick and Abdallah labeled him with a left leg, then moved in and hit him with legs and fists as the final bell rang and the fighters embraced.
“Our game plan was to be able to pick him off and turn him. We didn’t want to stand in front of him. He was tough, strong and durable. We knew it would be a war.”
The judges awarded Abdallah the fight by scores of 98-89, 99-91, 99-92.
“I feel good. I’d do it again, where ever he wants,” Gibson said. “I think I should have thrown more kicks, but I got tired in the legs a little. He hit me with some good solid shots, but I just kept battling.”
The event was sponsored by Local Edge Media, with co-sponsors All Metal Works, Executive Landscaping, Papa Leo’s, Finnan’s Sports Bar & Grill, CentiMark, Wittlin, Cain & Dry and Sparks Monroe Heating & Cooling.