Federal Way heavyweight Vincent Thompson will try to stay undefeated in Battle at the Boat 82: Fight Night to the Playboy Mansion. The action begins at 7 p.m. June 4 at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.
Thompson’s opponent will be Kelsey Arnold of Lexington, Tenn. Arnold (4-7-1) is coming off a loss to undefeated Andy Ruiz Jr., a top ranking heavyweight in Mexico.
Thompson (7-0, 2 KO) won his last fight on March 19 by dominating Ryan Shay (5-12). Thompson pounded away at Shay in a bout that was stopped at 1:26 in the second round. Shay repeatedly took a knee throughout the second round as Thompson poured on the pressure with a flurry of head and body shots.
Thompson, 28, recently signed a promotional contract with Brian Halquist Productions and is trying to get more professional wins under his belt. Thompson’s stock as a boxer was boosted by a Nov. 13 victory over the previously unbeaten Charles Ellis, a former 2003 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion.
Fight Night to the Playboy Mansion
Battle at the Boat 82 will feature ring card girl contests and famous Playboy Playmates including Tacoma native Stacy Fuson, Playboy Radio host and former Playmate of the Month Pilar Lastra, Bridget Marquardt from TV’s “The Girls Next Door,” photos with Playmates and more. The winner of the ring card girl contest will win a trip to the world famous Playboy Mansion in California and a chance to be featured in Playboy Magazine.
Fight card
The evening’s fight card includes Tacoma heavyweight Jonte Willis (7-0-1, 3 KOs). Willis faces hard-hitting Canadian Shane Andreesen, who sports a record of 10-3-0 with six wins coming by knockout.
Willis, the 2006 United States Amateur Super Heavyweight Champion, won the Super Heavyweight Championship at the Tacoma Golden Gloves in 2007 – defeating Canada’s No. 2 ranked superheavyweight Brandon Lowrie – before defeating two-time United States Champion Michael Hunter at the West Regional Golden Gloves in Las Vegas and moving on to the National Golden Gloves tournament where he lost in the semi-finals to Tyler Turner.
Willis turned pro in November 2007, knocking out Isouf Kone in the third round in his debut performance. He proceeded to win his first seven bouts — three by knockout — before drawing with David Long (10-1-1) on Jan. 15.
Other fights on the card:
• Heavyweights Sylvestor Barron (1-1-0) vs. Ija Flapping Eagle (3-2-1)
• Heavyweights Joey Montoya (4-0-2) vs Andrae Carthron (5-7-2)
• Super featherweights Rob Diezel (5-4-2) vs Aaron Schupp (2-0)
• Light middleweights Nate Serrano (2-0) vs. Randell Corpus (Debut)
Tickets and info
Battle at the Boat 82 takes place June 4 at Emerald Queen Casino’s I-5 Showroom. Doors open at 6 p.m., fights start at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $100 and are available at Emerald Queen Casino’s box office at (888) 831-7655 or at www.ticketmaster.com. To learn more about Battle at the Boat 82, visit www.Halquistproductions.com.