Fight Week at the EQC; Hamilton and Kovacs Revved up for Title Fight

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Tacoma, WA (August 19th, 2013) – Halquist Productions is returning with CageSport MMA to the Emerald Queen Casino this weekend where current heavyweight champion, Anthony Hamilton (9-2), will attempt to defend his title against the fearless, Matt Kovacs (8-11). In the semi-main event, Josh Rettinghouse will put his 8-2 record on the line when he takes on Aberdeen’s Jeff Hatton (7-3) in a three round bout that is expected to be one of the scrappier fights of the evening.

Tickets for CageSport XXVI, set for Saturday, August 24th, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA, are available and can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office and online through Ticketmaster. Prices start at $35 for general admission. First Row VIP tickets are still available.

CageSport heavyweight champion, Anthony Hamilton, has practically been unstoppable since being defeated last August. Since that fight, Hamilton has gone on to defeat three different opponents, all in the first round, with not one fight going longer than a minute and 37 seconds, which includes his 38 second victory over Bill Widler for the CageSport heavyweight title.

Hamilton will get his first chance to defend that title this weekend, but it will be no easy task with Matt Kovacs hungry for revenge. In 2010, Kovacs held the CageSport title when he defeated Corey Williams via first round TKO, but wasn’t able to hold on to it as he lost it in his first title defense attempt against Nick Braker. Adding more intrigue to the fight is that this will be a rematch for Kovacs who was defeated by Hamilton in a title fight in 2011. It’s certain that Kovacs is hungrier than ever to even the score and take back what once belonged to him.

Jeff Hatton and Josh Rettinghouse, fighting in the semi-main event, are two of the top bantamweight fighters in the region who have a lot to prove when they step into the cage this Saturday. Both have lots of promise in their professional MMA careers, but are in the process of revamping their rank as both have been defeated during CageSport bantamweight title fights. A victory at CageSport XXVI will go a long way in helping them fight their way back to another opportunity at championship gold.

Eight other thrilling bouts are set to take place on the 24th, featuring all local talent hoping to catch the attention of the national MMA media.

UNDERCARD: All three rounds

Justin Harrington (4-0) vs. Levi Peaslee (1-3)

Jeff Sweeney (debut) vs. Jacob Solis (0-1)

Chris Wheaton (1-4) vs. Hector Lopez (debut)

Harrison Bevens (5-1) vs. David Shepherd (5-3)

Ian Williams (6-1) vs. Zach Conn (1-0)

Lonya Champion (0-1) vs. Josh Solis (1-0)

Gary Winslow (1-2) vs. Montrez Tinson (0-1)

Alex Eastman (debut) vs. Eduardo Torres (1-1)

Doors for CageSport XXVI will open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7 PM. Halquist Productions has created a world class promotional company with CageSport MMA and Battle at the Boat boxing. After partnering with the United Fight Alliance, CageSport will soon be available to be viewed across the nation in over 100 million homes giving fighters the exposure that Halquist Productions prides itself in offering. For more questions about CageSport XXVI and all other Halquist Production events, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and the official Facebook and Twitter pages of Halquist Productions, CageSport MMA, and Battle at the Boat.