Two of the top heavyweight prospects in the Pacific Northwest, Federal Way’s Vincent Thompson (9-0) and Tacoma’s Jonte Willis (8-1-1), will face each other on Saturday, Nov. 5, in the 10-round main event at Battle at the Boat 84 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.
Thompson remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Masataka Takehara in August at Battle at the Boat 83. Takehara was a former national champion and the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in Japan.
Earlier this year, Thompson and boxing trainer/commentator Teddy Atlas spent a week in Moscow, Russia. Atlas is known for training Michael Moorer to a world heavyweight title in 1994. In Russia, Thompson sparred and trained with Alexander Provetkin (22-0), who defeated Ruslan Chagaev on Aug. 27 for the vacant WBA world heavyweight title.
On Nov. 5, Thompson will face Tacoma heavyweight Jonte Willis (8-1-1, 3 KOs) at Emerald Queen Casino. Willis told the last Battle at the Boat crowd to expect a great fight.
“This has been a long time coming,” Willis said after Thompson’s win over Takehara. “This will be one of the best fights the Pacific Northwest has seen in a long time … It’s time for the Pacific Northwest to get a better show.”
The fighters even exchanged a few words on the stage at the Emerald Queen following Thompson’s victory at Battle at the Boat 83.
“I told him, ‘Man, I ain’t even worried about you,'” Thompson said. “I’m ready for anybody.”
The first fight on the card will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25, $45 and $100 and are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office or by calling (888) 831-7655 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, visit www.halquistproductions.com.