Andre Keys (12-1, 5 KOs) will face Dannie Williams (23-3, 18 KOs) on Friday, January 17 at the Emerald Queen Casino. Part of Brian Halquist’s Battle At the Boat series, the Queen hosts professional boxing at least every other month giving local prospects a chance to practice their skills. Keys has won 11 consecutive fights. Although not always an explosive boxer, he is a thorough professional and his skills continue to grow.

 

Williams built his record to 22-2 before losing to John Molina Jr. in 2013 in a fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization NABO lightweight title. He stopped for six years to rethink his career. He returned to boxing in April and beat Ronald Rivas by majority decision.

 

Promoter Brian Halquist said, “This is very exciting for us at Brian Halquist Productions and Battle at the Boat. We have looked at Andre since he was an amateur and now, he is the main event for the second time. This is a big fight for Andre. This is a don’t-miss fight for boxing fans.”

 

Keys’ trainer, Nathaniel Glenn said, “A win against a former top contender would be a big boost for Andre’s mindset and his record rankings.”

 

Keys, a native of Tacoma who was a multiple-time national champion as an amateur, is coming off the biggest win of his career, having defeated Manuel Monteiro by unanimous decision in a 10-round bout on Nov. 9.  

 

Williams has had nine months of training and feels the ring rust is gone. He hopes to climb back into title contention. With six years out of the ring, the ring rust may be embedded. Six years removed from any sport is often deadly, if not to mind, then to body.