For the Auburn Reporter

Auburn’s Mike “Imagine Me” Gavronski returns to the ring Friday night, Jan. 9, for Brian Halquist’s Battle at the Boat 99 boxing series at the Emerald Queen Casino.

Gavronski (15-1, 10 knockouts) is scheduled to fight Dashon “Fly Boy” Johnson (15-18-3 5 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight main event. Johnson fills in for Californian Louis Rose, who withdrew from the card due to personal reasons.

The card begins at 8 p.m. at the casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma.

A soldout crowd followed Gavronski to the ring in his last fight on Nov. 17, when he beat 14-1 Gerardo Ibarra by unanimous decision.

In the six-round semi-main event of the evening, two Battle at the Boat veterans will take center stage. Vancouver’s Virgil Green (9-3 3 KOs) takes on Tacoma’s Will Hughes (4-1 3 KOs). Both fighters are coming off of wins earlier this year.

The card also will feature undefeated Buckley native Jeremy McCleary (5-0). He faces Oregon’s Damen Wood.

Tickets are on sale now through the Emerald Queen Casino box office and Ticketmaster locations. Tickets start at $25.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

More information can be found at www.halquistproductions.com.