Butler boxer Adams bidding for 2nd ABF boxing title Aug. 26 at Pullman Park
Lucas Adams knows how to stay busy.
The Butler resident, 27, won the American Boxing Federation cruiserweight title last year, defeating ring veteran Mike Manno. He then defeated Manno in a 10-round rematch earlier this year.
Adams also works 12-hour shifts at a steel mill in East Butler, then finds time to work on his fight skills every night at the Butler Cubs boxing gym. He is 5-1-2 as a pro and is taking on Alejandro Fugon (4-2-2 with 4 KO’s) in an 8-round bout for the ABF light heavyweight title in the main event of a pro boxing card Aug. 26 at Michelle Krill Memorial Field at Historic Pullman Park.
“That light heavyweight title is vacant and I want to see if I can win another belt,” Adams said. “I just take each fight as it comes.”
He’s already turned down offers to fight in ESPN cards, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and in Atlantic City.
“Those offers didn’t jive with his work schedule,” said Rich Cramer, who has been working with Adams in the ring since 2017. Cramer is in charge of Upright Fighter Promotions, which is putting on the fight card.
Don Spinetti, longtime Butler Cubs boxing manager, said: “Lucas wants to fight in Butler. He wants to compete in his hometown. That’s what this is all about. Hopefully, the weather will be good.”
The Aug. 26 boxing card will be the first held at Pullman Park since Brian Minto ended his professional boxing career there in September of 2016.
Fugon, a power puncher from Palmdale, Calif., is coming off a knockout of a previously 3-0 fighter in Massachusetts.
“That guy comes straight ahead, no fear, and hits hard,” said Ryan Covert, a former pro boxer from Butler who is fighting an exhibition match on the Aug. 26 card. “He likes to be the spoiler, come into other guys’ hometowns and beat them.”
Covert, 44, is taking on Jordan Carr, 22, of Ellwood City in an exhibition bout. Also on the card are welterweight Jordan Zlacki (3-5) of Springdale, Knoch graduate Brian Mowry, light heavyweight Devon Siegfried (1-0) of Ellwood City, heavyweight Paul Zalus (4-3) of West Deer and heavyweight Jimmy Iman of Butler.
Mowry, also a heavyweight, and Iman are making their pro boxing debuts. Mowry is a Pa. Golden Gloves champion who lost in the second round of the National Golden Gloves.
Cramer first worked with Adams in the former’s Lions Den gym in East Brady. That facility has since closed.
“Lucas is more than ready for this fight,” Cramer said. “He’s already gone 10 rounds and he’s anxious to take another step forward.”
“I’m anticipating a big crowd. I’m hoping for one,” Adams said. “That should be an exciting night.”
Tickets are $50, $75 and $100. They are available at Pullman Park, Beer Zone and T-Bar.
