JOEL DIAZ JR. IMPROVES TO 10-0, 9 KOs

Tacoma, WA (June 3, 2012) - Junior Lightweight sensation Joel Diaz Jr. kept his perfect record in tact following an impressive fifth round stoppage of title contender Emmanuel "The Butcher" Lucero Saturday evening at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.

 

Topping Halquist Productions' "Battle at the Boat 87," Diaz was in complete control throughout the contest. The aggressive 20-year-old Palmdale, CA native decked Lucero in the third round and dominated the fourth, giving spectators a preview of what was on tap. In the fifth, Diaz came out like a man possessed and decked Lucero twice, forcing the referee to mercifully halt the bout at 1:37.

 

"I knew Lucero was going to be a tough opponent," said Diaz. "My goal was to box the first few rounds and feel him out.  Once I started to figure him out, I turned up the heat and got him out of there.  I'm going to get right back in the gym and await my next fight from my promoter Mario Yagobi of Boxing360."

 

Diaz improves to (10-0, 9 KOs).  Lucero, a Scranton, PA native from Mexico City, slips to (23-11-1, 14 KOs).

 

"I'm extremely impressed," promoter Brian Halquist said of the performance. "Diaz is an excellent young fighter who prides himself on entertaining the crowd. The fans here loved him and we hope to have him fighting on one of our cards again in the near future."

Diaz takes out Lucero in Tacoma!

 

Tacoma, WA (June 3, 2012) - Junior Lightweight sensation Joel Diaz kept his perfect record in tact following an impressive fifth round stoppage of title contender Emmanuel “The Butcher” Lucero Saturday evening at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.

 

Topping Halquist Productions’ “Battle at the Boat 87,” Diaz was in complete control throughout the contest. The aggressive 20-year-old Palmdale, CA native decked Lucero in the third round and dominated the fourth, giving spectators a preview of what was on tap. In the fifth, Diaz came out like a man possessed and decked Lucero twice, forcing the referee to mercifully halt the bout at 1:37.

 

Diaz improves to 10-0 with 9 knockouts. Lucero, a Scranton, PA native from Mexico City, slips to 23-11-1 with 14 KO’s.

 

“I’m extremely impressed,” promoter Brian Halquist said of the performance. “Diaz is an excellent young fighter who prides himself on entertaining the crowd. The fans here loved him and we hope to have him fighting on one of our cards again in the near future.”

 

In the co-featured bout, fan favorites Nate Serrano, 4-1-1 (1 KO), and Osvaldo Rojas, 6-2-2 (2 KO’s), battled to a six round draw. Both Serrano, a retired Marine from Yakima, WA and Rojas of Portland, OR had their moments during the crowd pleasing welterweight affair, but the judges were deadlocked.

 

Scores were 58-56 Serrano, 58-56 Rojas and 57-57. Shortly after the completion of the contest, Serrano and Rojas agreed to meet in an immediate rematch.

 

On the undercard, locals Marcelino Pindeda and Juan Hernandez both scored third round knockouts, while Cory Vombaur and Jesus Partida boxed their way to decision victories.

 

Halquist Productions’ next boxing card takes place Saturday, August 25 at the Emerald Queen.

 

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. 

 

Lucero Replaces Sanchez; will battle Diaz at “Battle at the Boat 87!"

 

Lucero Challenged Pacquiao for Title

 

Tacoma, WA (May 24, 2012) – Contender Emmanuel Lucero has stepped in to face unbeaten rising star Joel Diaz Saturday, June 2 at the Emerald Queen Casino as part of Halquist Productions' “Battle at the Boat 87” card in Tacoma, WA.

  

A former world title challenger, Lucero made national headlines in 2003 when he faced boxing legend Manny Pacquiao for the IBF super bantamweight championship on HBO. Lucero, a gutsy fighter with a never-say-die attitude, fought his heart out but the Filipino icon stopped him in the third round. Aside from Pacquiao, then 36-2-1, Lucero, 26-10-1 (14 KO’s), faced a who’s who of pugilists.

 

The ten foes that beat him including Daniel Ponce De Leon (22-0), Rocky Juarez (25-3), Valdemier Pereira (17-0), Patrick Hyland (24-0), Jorge Diaz (14-0) and Diego Magdaleno (20-0), had an astonishing combined record of 204-6-1 when they faced Lucero. The Scranton, PA based Mexican also holds impressive wins over former world champion Juan Polo Perez and contenders Frankie Archuleta, Rogers Mtagwa and Alvin Brown.

 

“These kinds of things happen in boxing,” promoter Brian Halquist said of the withdrawal. “Sometimes the replacement fight ends up being much better; and that is certainly the case in this situation. I’m glad we were able to get a suitable replacement and one that has a reputation for making great fights. Plus he has fought the best fighter on the planet, not to mention everybody and anybody along the way. I thank Emmanuel Lucero for his willingness to take on a bright young star like Joel Diaz on short notice. This has the making of one of the best fights we have had in a long while.”

 

Lucero and Palmdale, CA’s Diaz, meet in the ten round main event.

 

Appearing in separate undercard bouts are crowd favorites Nate Serrano, Sarah Pucek, Marcellno Pindeda, Josh Hewson and Jesus Partida.

 

Tickets from $25 are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting the EQC box office.

 

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.