Gomez-Saunders Headline Battle XXXV.

Northwest cruiserweight giant slayer, Gary Gomez (13-4-0, 5KOs) will face Rayco Saunders (14-3-1, 6KOs) in the 35th installment of the Battle at the Boat boxing series on a special Friday night edition, February 25th , at the Emerald Queen Casino. The first action-packed bout is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. Gomez dismantled two undefeated Northwest cruiserweights when he KO’d Michael Sams (then 12-0) in March of 2004. In December of the same year, he won a unanimous decision over Chad Van Sickle (who was down twice – once in the first round, and then again in the third). This time, he will be taking on Philadelphia’s Rayco Saunders – and only one man will come out on top.

“We like this fight”, said promoter Brian Halquist. “Gary beat up our two undefeated Northwest cruiserweights and you know the old adage, “if you can’t beat “em, join “em’”.

However, the tough Saunders is a step up from Sams and Van Sickle. “I’m chasin’ them all” said Saunders, “Gomez is just one in a long line…”

“It’s one of those fights where both opponents think they’re going to win. That thinking usually results in a great fight”, said Halquist.

Also on the card is BHP recent signee, welterweight David Torres (7-0-0, 5KOs). David will be facing Cesar Vega (6-4-0) from Louisville, Kentucky. “David will be stepping up in competition with every fight”, Halquist commented. “We are confident in David’s ability. He will be facing a tough kid in Vega – one who doesn’t quit”.

The ever popular women’s bout brings back Boise native Beth Westover (1-1-0) to battle Arlington, Washington’s own Cami Hostettler, who is making her pro-debut.