22.12.03 – Undefeated Ohio cruiserweight prospect Chad Van Sickle signed with boxing promoter Brian Halquist today. Van Sickle, who is 13-0-2, will immediately be moving from Ohio to the Pacific Northwest. “We are very excited to have Chad as part of our promotional team,” said Halquist Productions President Brian Halquist, “Chad is undefeated and an incredible crowd pleaser. He will start working with our conditioning coach/nutritionist Dave Grisaffi immediately upon his arrival. Chad has all the tools to be a contender,” Halquist said.
Van Sickle will join contender Kenny Ellis in the Halquist boxing family. “We are planning on signing a few more athletes,” Halquist said.
For the past 3 years, Halquist had promoted the popular northwest boxing series, “Battle at the Boat” at the Emerald Queen Casino. The Battle at the Boat has 8 shows scheduled for 2004 and Halquist is planning on adding 6 more for a total of fourteen shows for the 2004 year. “We are growing but not too quickly” Halquist said. “We are in talks with 3 venues now and should have an announcement shortly. We would like to have 14 shows in 2004.”
Van Sickle is excited to finally have a promoter. “I am very excited to have a promoter and a team to work with. I look forward to the hard work ahead and feel this is a great fit for me and for Brian Halquist Productions.”
The Northwest will see Van Sickle fight for the first time January 9, 2004 at the Battle at the Boat XXVI at the Emerald Queen Casino. “Chad will fight a six rounder on the January card, then an 8 rounder on the February card. Hopefully he will be our main event on the April card,” Halquist said.
Van Sickle will be trained and managed by Sam Ditusa of Ditusa Boxing Enterprises in Seattle. “Chad has an incredible opportunity in front of him,” Ditusa said, “We have put together all the elements to make him very successful. Now the hard work and journey begins.”