By Brandon Koch
Niagara Gazette
BUFFALO —
Former Grand Island standout and current Buffalo State linebacker Eddie Weiser’s roots run deep when it comes to fighting.
The 6-foot, 205 pounder took home a Golden Gloves award in 2007 for his efforts in the boxing ring, and spent several years watching his father train in kickboxing while growing up, too.
So when the opportunity presented itself to learn mixed martial arts, he thought he’d try that, too.
Weiser will make his MMA debut this Saturday, as he is featured in a three-round bout against Jess Hall in a Raging Wolf’s Western New York Fight League all-amatuer qualifier at the Gil Lay Memorial Arena in Irving.
Despite some butterflies, Weiser said he is ready to get back in the ring.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I just can’t wait. I’m a little nervous because I don’t want to get caught by any stupid punches. I just want to go out and give this a shot ... I’ve always been around some sort of boxing. It’s a sport I just fell in love with.”
Weiser spent the last five months perfecting the trade at Victory Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness, located at 102 Broad St. in Tonawanda. Co-owner and mixed-martial artist Erik Herbert has taken him under his wing. And two-time university freestyle All-American, and current UB club wrestling coach Mickey Moran has stepped in to help Weiser out on the mat.
“Eddie’s that diamond in the rough in the gym right now because he has that experience in boxing,” said Victory co-owner and trainer Don Lilly. “I don’t have to teach him to take a hit and go back out there. Some kids get hit and they’ll cover up — he’s already far beyond that.”
Weiser added that the 35-year-old Hall will allow him to showcase his boxing skills Saturday.
“I’ve heard he’s a pretty good kickboxer, so he’ll try to stand up with me,” he said. “When I was 16, and fought in the Golden Gloves, I fought a 29-year-old. So the age difference, I look at that as an advantage.”
Weiser’s athleticism has allowed him to excel on the football field, as well. His 79 total tackles, four interceptions and one sack earned him 2009 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for the Bengals, who finished 2-8 on the year. Weiser also garnered ECAC Division III Southeast football Rookie of the Year recognition, too.
With the Bengals on the cusp of beginning their spring season, Weiser said he didn’t know what to expect when he broke the news to head coach, Jerry Boyes.
The legendary coach, however, thought it was a great idea.
“He was all for it,” Weiser said. “He likes the fact that I’m fighting. He believes the training is a great off-season thing to do because it keeps me in shape. So he definitely supports it.”
Despite the fact MMA training has taken a toll on him, he admits the sport has grown on him.
“I’ve always been into fighting,” Weiser said. “I don’t know, I’m starting to like this a lot better so we’ll see what happens.”
