Lightweights Hernandez, Oluoch Battle At The Boat

Lightweights Jose Hernandez and Peter Oluoch will meet Saturday, March 31 in the ten round main event of Halquist Productions’ “Battle at the Boat 86”.

Dubbed as “Loco” for his fearlessness inside the squared circle, Hernandez, 12-5-1 (5 KO’s), is consistently fighting top-notch competition. Spending much of his career in his opponents’ backyards, Hernandez lost a number of controversial decisions and the six fights he did not win came against fighters with a combined record of 85-4-1.

The Fort Worth, TX native also defeated contender Noe Bolanos and prospect Aaron Garcia, knocking out the latter in 5 rounds to capture the WBC Youth title back in 2009.

Oluoch, who’s traveling more than 9,000 from Nairobi, Kenya for his American debut, fought 17 of his 18 bouts in Africa. At 11-5-2 (6 KO’s), Oluoch went the distance with contenders Justin Juuko, Rustam Nugaev and Bethuel Uushona.

“This is going to be an outstanding fight,” stated promoter Brian Halquist of Halquist Productions. “Both guys have been in extremely tough and proved that they can hang with the best. I’m excited for this fight and regardless of whose hand is raised after the match the real winner will be the fans.”

In the co-featured bout of the evening, retired Marine turned wildly popular welterweight Nate Serrano, 3-1 (1 KO), of Yakima, WA faces Sacramento CA’s Nick Balestra, 2-1-1 (1 KO), in a six rounder. Serrano is coming off a controversial majority decision loss to Roberto Crespo in January.

Also appearing on the undercard are fan favorites Sarah Pucek, William Fernandez, Beau Hamilton and Isaac Tabedo.

Doors open at 6 pm and the opening bell is scheduled for 7.

The card takes place at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma and tickets are available on ticketmaster.com or by calling the EQC box office at 1-888-831-7655.