Diaz to meet Sanchez at “Battle at the Boat 87”!

 

Tacoma, WA (May 10, 2012) – Junior lightweight prospect Joel Diaz will look to take another step in the right direction when he battles Guillermo Sanchez Saturday, June 2 in the main event of “Battle at the Boat 87.”

 

The card is promoted by Halquist Productions and takes place at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Tickets start at $25 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting the EQC box office.

 

The hard-hitting Diaz is a perfect 9-0 with 8 KO’s as a professional and is one of the top young talents on the west coast. On January 20, 2012, Diaz stopped previously unbeaten Guy Robb in seven rounds on ShoBox: The New Generation. In his most recent bout, the 20-year-old Palmdale, CA native battered veteran Yogli Herrera, forcing him to quit on his stool after four rounds.

 

Rough, tough and battle tested, Sanchez’ resume speaks for itself. The Puerto Rican shared the squared circle with world champion Adrien Broner, contender Edner Cherry and undefeated prospects Mark Davis and Ronny Rios. Dubbed as “The Vampire,” Sanchez, 13-6-1 (5 KO’s), twice won bouts in the backyard of previously unbeaten opponents, outpointing Rod Salka and Eddie Irizarry.

 

Diaz-Sanchez is scheduled for ten rounds.

 

Retired Marine and crowd favorite Nate Serrano, 4-1 (1 KO), of Yakima, WA will look to win his second straight bout when he challenges Portland, OR’s Osvaldo Rojas in a six round welterweight contest. Serrano’s fresh off a dramatic second round stoppage of Nicholas Balestra while Rojas, 6-2-1 (2 KO’s), makes his first start since 2010.

 

Also appearing on the undercard is Canadian sensation Sarah Pucek against an opponent to be named. Other undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

 

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.

JOEL DIAZ JR. HAS ANOTHER SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE

April 30, 2012 - This past Saturday at the Mountaineer Casino and Resort in Chester, West Virginia, rising undefeated lightweight prospect, Joel Diaz Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs) manufactured another spectacular performance when he bulldozed his way to a TKO victory over rugged veteran, Yogli Herrera (22-15, 15 KOs).   Herrera never returned from his stool to compete in the fifth round, after he was dropped several times by Diaz in the earlier rounds.

 

"I really felt good going into this fight," said Diaz. "My trainer Able Sanchez put together a great game plan and we executed it to perfection.  Herrera is a very tough guy and he lasted longer than expected after I had him down early in the fight.  I want to thank my promoter Mario Yagobi and Boxing360 for keeping me busy.  I'm going to rest for a few days and get right back in the gym.  Hopefully I'll have another fight coming up soon."

 

Said Boxing360 promoter Mario Yagobi, "Joel is rapidly becoming one of boxing's brightest young stars.  He's progressing well and he's getting the proper experience to prepare him for the next level of competition.  I'm going to continue keeping him busy so we'll have to sit down and see what's out there.  I know ShoBox is interested in him returning to the Showtime network, so there might be an opportunity there.  I'll be making an announcement soon."

JOEL DIAZ JR. WILL NOW FACE YOGLI HERRERA ON APRIL 28TH

April 12, 2012 - Rising junior lightweight star Joel Diaz Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs), of Palmdale Calif., has a new opponent for his scheduled eight-round bout on April 28, at the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort in Chester, West Virginia. Diaz was supposed to fight Georgi Kevlishvili (10-3, 3 KOs), but will now face Columbian, Yogli Herrera (22-14, 15 KOs), a rugged veteran of 35 fights. Kevlishvili had to pull out for personal issues unrelated to boxing.

Said Diaz, "I'm steadily working hard in the gym and I'm always ready to fight anyone, anywhere. Opponents are always falling out of fights. That's why I live in the gym. Herrera has a lot of fights so I know his experience will be a challenge. Tough fights like these are only going to make me better. I believe in myself and my skills to come out on top. I'm on a mission to be the best and I'll be prepared for anything he brings to the ring."

Roy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Inc. in association with TNT Sports Promotions will co-promote this event. For more information on Joel Diaz Jr., please visit http://www.boxing360.com/ .