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, WAand 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.
