TACOMA, Wash. – Super middleweight Tony Hirsch was forced to withdraw from his Sept. 9 Battle at the Boat 112 main event bout against Mike Gavronski after suffering a hand injury during training. The fight was scheduled for 10 rounds at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. Bryan Vera (26-11-0, 16 KOs) will replace Hirsch in the main event against Gavronski (23-2-1, 14 KOs).
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Tony, but Vera stepping in creates an equally appealing matchup between two great super middleweights,” promoter Brian Halquist said. “Bryan’s fought against some of the best boxers in the world. He is a former NABO middleweight champion. His resume speaks for itself. We’re very excited to have him on the card.”
Vera, who appeared on the third season of ESPN’s boxing reality series The Contender, handed Andy Lee, a former WBO middleweight champion, his first professional loss and holds two victories over former WBC World light middleweight champion Sergio Mora.
Vera captured the WBO NABO middleweight championship in 2013 by knocking out Serhiy Dzyndzyruk, who’s only other loss in 40 career fights was against WBC World middleweight titlist Sergio Martinez.
Vera also twice went the distance with former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., losing by decision in 2013 and again in 2014 in a bout for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super middleweight crown.
Gavronski brings a three-fight winning streak into the contest, with victories over Australian champion Jake Carr, Thomas Awimbono and Quinton Rankin.
Tickets are available through the EQC box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Preliminary bouts will start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The six-fight card will also feature a semi-main event between super lightweights Andres Reyes (7-2-1, 2 KOs) and Andre Keys (3-1-0, KO).
Battle at the Boat 112 will feature the VIP experience with 3rd Row Seats being discounted to $75 per ticket. All fans seated in the VIP section (rows 1-3) will have an exclusive access point and a dedicated server to help create a true VIP experience.
Battle at the Boat 112 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions. For more information, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and the Battle at the Boat Facebook page.
Battle at the Boat 112 Card
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017
10 Round Main Event – 168 pounds
Mike Gavronski (23-2-1, 14 KOs) vs. Bryan Vera (26-11-0, 16 KOs)
5 Round Semi-Main Events
145 pounds: Andres Reyes (7-2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Andre Keys (3-1-0, KO)
140 pounds: Ricardo Maldonado (7-6-1, KO) vs. Marco Cardenas (6-6-1, 2 KOs)
4 Round Undercard Bouts
140 pounds: Niko McFarland (0-4-0) vs. Shae Green (1-0-0)
170 pounds: Tommy Turner (4-7-0, 3 KOs) vs. Cole Milani (2-5-0, 2 KOs)
135 pounds: Bryan Sanchez (Pro Debut) vs. Jorge Linares (Pro Debut)