Tacoma, WA (June 2, 2014) – Welterweight contenders, Emmanuel “Ice Cold” Lartey (15-2-1, 7 KOs), and the Northwest’s own former IBF super featherweight champion, Stevie “ Two Pound” Forbes (35-12, 11 KOs), are headed to Tacoma, WA this weekend where they will headline Halquist Productions’ Battle at the Boat 96 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Six undercard fights featuring the Northwest’s premier boxing talent are also scheduled throughout the night.

Tickets for Battle at the Boat 96, scheduled for Saturday, June 7th, are still available and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Prices start at $25.

Lartey is looking to rebound after recent setbacks against two of boxing’s flashiest prospects, Errol Spence Jr. and Felix Diaz. Raised in Ghana and currently fighting out of New York City, Lartey showed he can hang with the best, fighting to a close split decision loss against 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Felix Diaz on Showtime’s SHOBOX. Lartey will take on the much more experienced Stevie Forbes on June 7th, while hoping to regain last year’s momentum.

The Portland, OR native, Stevie Forbes, is looking to get back to the spot light where he was earlier in his career after defeating John Brown for the IBF super featherweight title. Forbes will bring the challenge of being the most experienced boxer that Lartey has faced, quickly approaching his 50th fight.

A six fight undercard will highlight the Northwest’s best up and coming boxing talent. Notable names include three time junior Golden Gloves champion, Jeremy McCleary, seeking his fourth professional victory in as many tries. Also on the card is heavy hitting undefeated prospect, Cameron Sevilla-Rivera (3-0, 3 KOs), who will attempt to keep his knockout streak rolling.

Jeremy McCleary (3-0) vs. Napoleon Mathews (1-3, 1 KO) at 128 Lbs.
Cameron Sevilla-Rivera (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Daryl Gardner (1-2, 1 KO) at 160 Lbs.
Kolt Thompson (pro debut) vs. Mike Hayes (pro debut) at Heavyweight
Ricardo Maldonado (3-0) vs. Manuel Mandez (2-1-1) at 136 Lbs.
Harrison Bevens (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Cole Milani (1-0, 1 KO) at 161 Lbs.
Jared Teer (2-1) vs. Marcelino Pineda (3-0, 3 KOs) at 147 Lbs.

Doors for Battle at the Boat 96 open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled at 7 PM. Fans must be 21 or older to enter the casino. For more information about Battle at the Boat 96 and all other Halquist Production events please visit the official Facebook and Twitter Pages of CageSport MMA and Battle at the Boat.

About Halquist Productions
Promoter, Brian Halquist started Halquist Productions in 1989 when he promoted up and coming heavyweight boxing contender, Joe “The Boss” Hipp. In 1997, the Emerald Queen Casino and Brian Halquist Productions started the popular northwest boxing series, “The Battle at the Boat,” bringing boxing back to the Pacific Northwest. Halquist Productions is the Northwest’s premier fight promotional company and has promoted events on Showtime, HBO and ESPN and also a co-produced Showtime’s historic boxing event in St. Lucia, West Indies. The Battle at the Boat continues to be the longest running boxing series out of any casino in the United States.