Vincent Thompson’s heavyweight hopes are gaining momentum.

The Federal Way resident won his second professional boxing match with a unanimous decision over DJ Linderman during Battle at the Boat 76, held April 3 at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma. Linderman, a 26-year-old mixed martial arts fighter from Yreka, Calif., was making his pro debut.

Thompson and Linderman, both heavyweights, went the four-round distance as the third fight on Saturday night’s bill. The evening was headlined by Kingsley Ikeke’s defense of the NABA Super Middleweight Title as well as the return of George “Monk” Foreman III, whose father, the legendary George Foreman, was in attendance.

Minutes before the first fight of the evening, the 27-year-old Thompson shadowboxed backstage in a black robe, pacing the aisle.

“I’m going into battle. These are my weapons,” Thompson said, shiny red gloves locked under his chin.

Soon after the opening bell, Linderman caught Thompson off-guard, relying on lunging jump punches and gravity to push Thompson toward the ropes. Thompson soon found his footing, consistently landing hard jabs. Thompson ultimately had more control of the fight. Both of these southpaw heavyweights connected with several solid lefts. Although Linderman showed signs of tiring during the second round, both fighters charged each other like rams as the third round opened, then grinded their way through the fourth and final round.

In his first pro fight, Thompson defeated Freddie Miller on Aug. 29, 2009, at Emerald Queen Casino.

Highlights: Battle at the Boat 76

• NABA Super Middleweight Champion Kingsley “Sharp Knuckles” Ikeke (27-3, 14 KO’s) defended his title against Zane “The Train” Marks (17-5, 10 KO’s) as the headlining event at Battle at the Boat 76. Ikeke won a 10-round majority decision amid Marks’ constant taunts and spitting. Although Marks delivered a burst of blows and pressure at the fight’s start, Ikeke remained in control. The 6-foot-4 Ikeke used his height and longer reach to find a groove in the later rounds. Marks continued his antics as the fight carried on, despite missing several punches.

• In the co-main event, Andrae Carthron (4-5-2, 1 KO) defeated Freddie Miller (1-2-1) in a heavyweight slugfest that brought the crowd to its feet at the final bell. Neither of these brawlers went down, wobbling to the finish while trading solid punches and not holding anything back. The fighters eventually stopped blocking each other’s shots to the head and seemed on the verge of knockout at any moment. Carthron delivered a couple of questionable low-blows in the early rounds, but ultimately outscored Miller in the judging.

• George “Monk” Foreman III (7-0, 6 KO’s) defeated Dale Mitchell (0-1) with a second-round TKO. Foreman’s heavy punches quickly got the best of Mitchell, who ran out of steam after one round in his first pro fight.

• Paul Mpendo (6-5-4, 3 KO’s) and David Lopez (3-2-2) fought to a draw after four rounds. Both fighters pretty much stood toe-to-toe throughout the middleweight bout. They appeared to enjoy themselves, trading friendly pats and smiles, even as they pummeled each other’s heads and faces.

• Darren Anzai (1-1) clobbered David Combs (1-1-1) in the opening middleweight fight, winning by a TKO in the first round. Anzai quickly knocked Combs down with a devastating left, then pounded Combs’ head against the ropes when the ref called the TKO.

• The fight scheduled between Tommy Davis (pro debut) and John Heath (pro debut) was canceled.