17.02.04 – Heavyweight sluggers will headline the Battle at the Boat XXVII Saturday, February 28, 2004 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. First bout to start at 7:30 PM. Billy Zumbrun (12-5-1) will face Dennis Weaver (9-4-0) in what should be an action packed heavyweight bout. Zumbrun is coming off a huge unanimous decision over former heavyweight contender Joe “The Boss” Hipp last December.
“I think this is a good fight for me,” said Zumbrun. “I’m just trying to improve with every fight. My last fight was a great confidence builder for me. I used to watch Joe Hipp fight when I was a kid. He fought Bruce Seldon for the heavyweight title and I took the fight on one day’s notice,” Zumbrun continued, “I’m just quietly building myself.”
Dennis Weaver rattled the roof at the Battle at the Boat XXV when he was knocked down in the first round and came back to knockout tough journeyman fighter Wade Lewis in the fourth round. “This is a classic heavyweight match up,” said promoter Brian Halquist. “With Zumbrun 12-5 and Weaver 9-4, the winner of this will come out as a heavyweight prospect. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Halquist continued.
In an eight round lightweight semi main event, two of the Northwest’s scrappiest fighter’s will battle when Oregon’s Rafael Ortiz (7-3-1) tries to avenge two of his losses to Seattle’s Jesus Santiago (8-6-1). Their two previous bouts have been classics! “I need to avenge these losses then I’ll be ready to move on and step up,” said Ortiz.
New Halquist Production signee Chad Van Sickle (14-0-2) will face Jonathan Williams (4-3-0). Williams moves down to the cruiserweight division after fighting in the heavyweight division. Williams handed Northwest heavyweight Chauncey Welliver (16-1-0) his only defeat on an earlier Battle at the Boat show. “We are very happy with Chad’s progress,” said promoter Brian Halquist. “Chad has moved out to Tacoma from Ohio and is working very hard; harder than he has his entire career. Van Sickle works mornings with conditioning coach/nutritionist David Grissafi and trains with his manager/trainer Sam Ditusa in the evenings. The two a day workouts have been paying off,” Halquist continued. “I feel ready for this fight and I am excited to be fighting here in Tacoma,” Van Sickle said.