Tacoma, WA (August 10, 2012) – On June 2, welterweights Nate Serrano and Osvaldo Rojas engaged in one of the most exciting bouts in “Battle at the Boat” history.
Serrano, a retired marine who has a gargantuan fan base at the Emerald Queen Casino and Rojas, a rugged Oregonian, slugged it out throughout their unforgettable six round contest. Both men had their moments and the crowd remained at the edge of their seats from bell to bell.
Upon the bout’s completion, both men were met with a round of applause from the appreciative crowd. A case could’ve been made for either man to emerge as the victor and the pro-Serrano crowd wasn’t sure whose hand would be raised when the scorecards were read.
Ultimately, the judges ruled it a split draw, opening the door for a rematch. Just moments after the official decision came, Serrano, 4-1-1 (3 KO’s), and Rojas, 6-2-2 (2 KO’s), agreed they’d meet again August 18 as part of the “Battle at the Boat 88” fight card.
“I’ve seen so many proposed rematches of great fights fall apart for one reason or another,” said Brian Halquist, CEO of Halquist Productions. “From the time their first fight ended, I really wanted them to meet again. Thankfully, both fighters were 100 percent behind an immediate rematch and I commend them for giving the fans what they want.”
Like his counterpart Serrano wants to provide excitement and turn the draw into a win. The Yakima native, whose fought all of his professional bouts for Halquist at the Emerald Queen Casino, is confident he made the necessary adjustments to do so.
“It was a great fight,” Serrano said of his first fight with Rojas. I thought everybody enjoyed it and that’s why we agreed to do it again. I feel like I edged him out but it was a very close fight. The difference this time is that I’m not going to waste any punches.”
He also recognizes the importance of keeping his loyal fans happy.
“In my eyes, there’s always pressure on me to go out there and put on a good performance for my fans, my team and myself. It means a lot the fans support me so strongly and I’m happy to perform for them. It does help when I get the support and it’s a good feeling to know that they like my fights. To reward them, I expect to be victorious on the 18th.”
The highly anticipated Serrano-Rojas rematch serves as the co-feature to the ten round lightweight battle between hungry veterans Jose Hernandez and Robert Osiobe.
Highly touted junior welterweight Ray Lampkin Jr. of Portland fights for the second time in as many fights on a BATB card when he meets Randell Corpuz of Yakima. The son of title contender Ray Lampkin Sr., the younger Lampkin posted a 67-7 amateur record and amongst the Pacific Northwest’s most promising prospects.
Also appearing in undercard bouts are four rounders between Jose Leon of Los Angeles, CA and Lakeside, MT’s Jesse Udhe, along with matchups between Hillsboro, OR resident Gabriel Pineda and Twin Falls, ID native Matthew Flores as well as Andres Ramos of Spokane, WA against Frank Mendez of Longview, WA.
Tickets starting at $25 are available at the EQC box office or by going to Ticektmaster.com.
Doors open at 6 pm and the opening bell is scheduled for 7.
During the last 23 years, Halquist Productions built a reputation in the boxing world for their loyalty, honesty and integrity. In 1997, Halquist Productions ran their inaugural “Battle at the Boat” series, which remains successful to this day. Halquist Productions promoted many world title bouts and their fight cards have been seen on ESPN, HBO and Showtime.
Published on WBAN. We cover women’s boxing and men’s boxing.