By Ricardo Ibarra

Kicking off their 2020 season, Brian Halquist Productions will return to the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington for the 125th installment of the ‘Battle at the Boat’ series on Friday, January 17th. A staple of the Pacific Northwest boxing scene, the series has long served as a proving ground for young fighters in the region looking to climb the ranks, and this first card of the new year has lined up a number of young hopefuls looking to showcase their skills.

Topping the card will be surging local welterweight Andre Keys (12-1, 5 KOs) taking a big step up in competition against experienced fifteen-year veteran Dannie Williams (23-3, 18 KOs) in a scheduled ten round bout. 

Keys, a slick boxer who fights out of Tacoma, will be looking to claim his twelfth consecutive win since suffering his only pro defeat four years ago. The hometown favorite has been on an impressive run since, molding himself into a cagey pro and scoring eleven straight wins, four of those inside the distance. In his most recent performance, he out-fought the durable Manuel Monteiro to take a ten round unanimous decision win in November.

Williams, who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, has built an impressive resume in twenty-six fights over the last fifteen years. He claimed the interim WBC Continental Americas lightweight title in 2011, defeating Manuel Leyva in the first round, and went on to challenge Hank Lundy for the NABF 135 lbs. strap in 2012, losing a ten round unanimous decision to the former world title challenger. In 2013 Williams again challenged for a meaningful title, losing to John Molina in the fourth round in a bid for the vacant WBO-NABO lightweight belt. Following that loss, Williams sat out for six-years, finally making his return last April with a six round majority decision win over Ronald Rivas.

Keys and Williams will square off over ten rounds in the 147-pound main event. Also on tap will be a six round semi-main event between Antonio Neal (5-12-1, 3 KOs) and Niko McFarland (4-5-2, 1 KO) at welterweight; a four round light heavyweight showdown between Juan Jackson (2-2) and pro debuting Joe Aguilar; lightweights Luis De Alba (0-3) and Marco Garcia (0-0-1) facing off over four rounds; Jose Cervantes (1-0, 1 KOs) taking on Cody Brown (1-0, 1 KO) in a four round welterweight tilt; and lastly a heavyweight scrap between Nick Mills (2-0, 1 KO) and Michael Johnson, who is making his pro debut.

Tickets to the event can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information visit www.halquistproductions.com and the Battle at the Boat Facebook page.