The Early Days
Brian Halquist was raised in Tacoma, Washington and attended Foss High School where he played football and was a member of the 1975 “AAA” State Championship team. In addition, he was an All-State and All-American heavyweight wrestler. In 1976, Brian finished 8th in the nation at the US W.F Freestyle Nationals held at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, earning him All-American honors. After graduating from Foss in 1976, Brian worked for Contemporary Security in Los Angeles until 1978, as a bodyguard/security worker for major rock acts, including Aerosmith, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Mahogany Rush, and Ted Nugent.
In 1978, Brian received a wrestling scholarship from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington and wrestled in the ‘78 NJCAA nationals. During his two years at Columbia Basin, Brian broke the single season and career pin records at the school. He finished his career at CBC with a 37-6 record (24 pins), wrestling in the 190 pound and heavyweight divisions. In 1980, Brian left Columbia Basin to attend the NAIA powerhouse, Montana State University Northern in Havre, where he continued to wrestle and major in Physical Education. His wrestling career was cut short at Montana, due to injuries, but that did not stop his “music” career.
In the summer of 1980, Brian worked for the late country western “outlaw” Johnny Paycheck, as a bodyguard on his summer tour of the US and Canada. Following the summer, Brian returned to Montana, where he taught health and physical education for a year. He soon realized this was not his passion and tried his hand at radio sales and sports commentary at KQDI in Great Falls, Montana. He returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1984 and started Halquist & Associates. Brian teamed up with famed northwest broadcaster Dan Bartolovic and furthered his radio career by obtaining the radio broadcast rights to the University of Puget Sound football and basketball games, Seattle Pacific University basketball games and several local high school sports, including many state tournaments. Halquist & Associates owned the radio broadcast rights to the 1987 NCAA Division I AA national championship football game (The Diamond Bowl), which broadcasted live across the country from the Tacoma Dome.
In 1989, Halquist decided to venture into television. Unexpectedly and with no prior experience, he started on the “Reflections of Violence” documentary project. Working with the local Tacoma PBS affiliate KBTC and a handful of students from Bates Vocational School, Brian produced the award-winning documentary “Reflections of Violence,” co-produced by Bart Smith, a student at Bates. The documentary aired locally and then nationally on PBS, to great reviews and ratings.
Directly after completing the documentary, Brian was hired as a field producer for the cutting edge tabloid show “A Current Affair.” He worked as a field producer, interviewing such criminals as Charles Manson, Richard Ramirez, Kenneth Bianchi, Charles Campbell and Wesley Allen Dodd. After seeing the darker side of crime, Brian created and produced the award winning radio program Cop Talk on Tacoma stations, KKMO, KTAC and Seattle’s KVI. He was then hired as a field producer for the “Montel Williams” show in its infancy, working out of LA and freelanced for the shows “Dateline NBC” and “Hard Copy.”
The Beginning of Brian Halquist Productions, Inc.
Brian Halquist started Brian Halquist Productions, Inc. in 1989, when he promoted up and coming heavyweight boxing contender, Joe “The Boss” Hipp. In 1992, Halquist joined director Michael Leinau in producing the award winning documentary, “Portrait of a Serial Arsonist: The Paul Keller Story.” The show aired on Seattle’s NBC affiliate, KING TV and Dateline NBC used interview footage when they came to town to do a segment on the Keller family. After that, Halquist obtained the story rights and co-produced the CBS movie “Not Our Son,” starring Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon, Major Dad) and Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser).
During the next six years, Halquist maintained his radio broadcasts and boxing promotions. Additionally, he promoted the largest charity football game in the nation, the Bacon Bowl, featuring police officers from the Seattle and Tacoma police departments. In 1995, Halquist persuaded three time world boxing champion, Greg Haugen, out of retirement and promoted him to his 4th world title. Two years later, in 1997, Halquist began working with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Emerald Queen Casino in order to promote boxing. Through this partnership, Halquist was able to promote the first world title fight at any casino in Washington State.
Battle at the Boat Series/CageSport:
In 1997, the Emerald Queen Casino and Brian Halquist Productions started the popular northwest boxing series, “The Battle at the Boat,” bringing boxing back to the Pacific Northwest. In 2002, Halquist signed boxer Kenny Ellis, after working with him for the past two years. In four short months, Ellis won the NABO Middleweight title and received his first ever world ranking by the WBO.
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest’s premier fight promotional company and has promoted events on Showtime, HBO and ESPN. and was also a co-producer of Showtime’s historic boxing event in St. Lucia, West Indies.
In July 2007, he promoted the Vernon Forrest-Carlos Baldimere world title fight, which broadcasted on HBO Championship Boxing.
On August 2, 2008, Showtime came into town, where a sold out audience witnessed Vic Darchinyan score an impressive 5th round KO of IBF Champion Dmitri Kirillov. On that same night, undefeated prospect Andre Dirrell pummeled Mike Paschall, and in the process, opened up one of the nastiest cuts ever witnessed.
In 2008, Brian Halquist Productions promoted Strike Force at the Tacoma Dome and 7,500 fans attended the Bob Sapp MMA fight.
With the success of the Tacoma Dome MMA show, Brian Halquist Productions once again teamed up with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Emerald Queen Casino to present their own brand of MMA, “CageSport.” The first CageSport event was in June 2008 and resulted in a sold out, standing room only show at the Emerald Queen Showroom. Brian Halquist Productions and the Emerald Queen Casino immediately scheduled more CageSport shows, including a MMA Series at the Emerald Queen Casino in 2009.
In July of 2009, Brian Halquist Productions signed Kingsley “Sharp Knuckles” Ikeke to a long term promotional contract. On August 29, Ikeke defeated Mark Woolnough for the NABA Super Middleweight Title and a top ten ranking.
On January 9, 2010, George Foreman III, son of the former three time heavyweight champion continued his undefeated streak (5-0, 5 KO’s), against Yul Witherspoon in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd.
Brian Halquist Productions will continue The Battle at the Boat boxing series and CageSport MMA at the Emerald Queen Casino, giving combative sports fans world class, quality shows.
Halquist Productions Inc. has also promoted rock acts such as, Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Guess Who, Christopher Cross, Steppenwolf, America, Grand Funk Railroad, Blood, Sweat and Tears and Otis Day and the Knights, just to name a few. Brian Halquist Productions continues to expand his company in the boxing and entertainment field, constantly looking to sign new boxing talent and field a world boxing champion.
TV/Radio Awards:
TV: 1991 Washington State Bar Association Excellence in Legal Journalism Award- “Reflections of Violence”
TV: 1993 Emerald City Excellence in TV awards- “Portrait of a Serial Arsonist: The Paul Keller Story”
Radio: 1992 Washington State Bar Association Excellence in Legal Journalism Award- “Cop Talk!”
Boxing Awards:
2008- Fightnews.com Promoter of the Year
Professional Boxing TV Credits:
ESPN
ESPN 2
Showtime (Shobox Series)
Showtime Championship Boxing
HBO Championship Boxing
HBO Boxing After Dark
Telemundo
Univision
Fox Sports Network
Direct TV
Azteca
Brian Halquist was raised in Tacoma, Washington and attended Foss High School where he played football and was a member of the 1975 “AAA” State Championship team. In addition, he was an All-State and All-American heavyweight wrestler. In 1976, Brian finished 8th in the nation at the US W.F Freestyle Nationals held at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, earning him All-American honors. After graduating from Foss in 1976, Brian worked for Contemporary Security in Los Angeles until 1978, as a bodyguard/security worker for major rock acts, including Aerosmith, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Mahogany Rush, and Ted Nugent.
In 1978, Brian received a wrestling scholarship from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington and wrestled in the ‘78 NJCAA nationals. During his two years at Columbia Basin, Brian broke the single season and career pin records at the school. He finished his career at CBC with a 37-6 record (24 pins), wrestling in the 190 pound and heavyweight divisions. In 1980, Brian left Columbia Basin to attend the NAIA powerhouse, Montana State University Northern in Havre, where he continued to wrestle and major in Physical Education. His wrestling career was cut short at Montana, due to injuries, but that did not stop his “music” career.
In the summer of 1980, Brian worked for the late country western “outlaw” Johnny Paycheck, as a bodyguard on his summer tour of the US and Canada. Following the summer, Brian returned to Montana, where he taught health and physical education for a year. He soon realized this was not his passion and tried his hand at radio sales and sports commentary at KQDI in Great Falls, Montana. He returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1984 and started Halquist & Associates. Brian teamed up with famed northwest broadcaster Dan Bartolovic and furthered his radio career by obtaining the radio broadcast rights to the University of Puget Sound football and basketball games, Seattle Pacific University basketball games and several local high school sports, including many state tournaments. Halquist & Associates owned the radio broadcast rights to the 1987 NCAA Division I AA national championship football game (The Diamond Bowl), which broadcasted live across the country from the Tacoma Dome.
In 1989, Halquist decided to venture into television. Unexpectedly and with no prior experience, he started on the “Reflections of Violence” documentary project. Working with the local Tacoma PBS affiliate KBTC and a handful of students from Bates Vocational School, Brian produced the award-winning documentary “Reflections of Violence,” co-produced by Bart Smith, a student at Bates. The documentary aired locally and then nationally on PBS, to great reviews and ratings.
Directly after completing the documentary, Brian was hired as a field producer for the cutting edge tabloid show “A Current Affair.” He worked as a field producer, interviewing such criminals as Charles Manson, Richard Ramirez, Kenneth Bianchi, Charles Campbell and Wesley Allen Dodd. After seeing the darker side of crime, Brian created and produced the award winning radio program Cop Talk on Tacoma stations, KKMO, KTAC and Seattle’s KVI. He was then hired as a field producer for the “Montel Williams” show in its infancy, working out of LA and freelanced for the shows “Dateline NBC” and “Hard Copy.”
The Beginning of Brian Halquist Productions, Inc.
Brian Halquist started Brian Halquist Productions, Inc. in 1989, when he promoted up and coming heavyweight boxing contender, Joe “The Boss” Hipp. In 1992, Halquist joined director Michael Leinau in producing the award winning documentary, “Portrait of a Serial Arsonist: The Paul Keller Story.” The show aired on Seattle’s NBC affiliate, KING TV and Dateline NBC used interview footage when they came to town to do a segment on the Keller family. After that, Halquist obtained the story rights and co-produced the CBS movie “Not Our Son,” starring Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon, Major Dad) and Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser).
During the next six years, Halquist maintained his radio broadcasts and boxing promotions. Additionally, he promoted the largest charity football game in the nation, the Bacon Bowl, featuring police officers from the Seattle and Tacoma police departments. In 1995, Halquist persuaded three time world boxing champion, Greg Haugen, out of retirement and promoted him to his 4th world title. Two years later, in 1997, Halquist began working with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Emerald Queen Casino in order to promote boxing. Through this partnership, Halquist was able to promote the first world title fight at any casino in Washington State.
Battle at the Boat Series/CageSport:
In 1997, the Emerald Queen Casino and Brian Halquist Productions started the popular northwest boxing series, “The Battle at the Boat,” bringing boxing back to the Pacific Northwest. In 2002, Halquist signed boxer Kenny Ellis, after working with him for the past two years. In four short months, Ellis won the NABO Middleweight title and received his first ever world ranking by the WBO.
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest’s premier fight promotional company and has promoted events on Showtime, HBO and ESPN. and was also a co-producer of Showtime’s historic boxing event in St. Lucia, West Indies.
In July 2007, he promoted the Vernon Forrest-Carlos Baldimere world title fight, which broadcasted on HBO Championship Boxing.
On August 2, 2008, Showtime came into town, where a sold out audience witnessed Vic Darchinyan score an impressive 5th round KO of IBF Champion Dmitri Kirillov. On that same night, undefeated prospect Andre Dirrell pummeled Mike Paschall, and in the process, opened up one of the nastiest cuts ever witnessed.
In 2008, Brian Halquist Productions promoted Strike Force at the Tacoma Dome and 7,500 fans attended the Bob Sapp MMA fight.
With the success of the Tacoma Dome MMA show, Brian Halquist Productions once again teamed up with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Emerald Queen Casino to present their own brand of MMA, “CageSport.” The first CageSport event was in June 2008 and resulted in a sold out, standing room only show at the Emerald Queen Showroom. Brian Halquist Productions and the Emerald Queen Casino immediately scheduled more CageSport shows, including a MMA Series at the Emerald Queen Casino in 2009.
In July of 2009, Brian Halquist Productions signed Kingsley “Sharp Knuckles” Ikeke to a long term promotional contract. On August 29, Ikeke defeated Mark Woolnough for the NABA Super Middleweight Title and a top ten ranking.
On January 9, 2010, George Foreman III, son of the former three time heavyweight champion continued his undefeated streak (5-0, 5 KO’s), against Yul Witherspoon in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd.
Brian Halquist Productions will continue The Battle at the Boat boxing series and CageSport MMA at the Emerald Queen Casino, giving combative sports fans world class, quality shows.
Halquist Productions Inc. has also promoted rock acts such as, Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Guess Who, Christopher Cross, Steppenwolf, America, Grand Funk Railroad, Blood, Sweat and Tears and Otis Day and the Knights, just to name a few. Brian Halquist Productions continues to expand his company in the boxing and entertainment field, constantly looking to sign new boxing talent and field a world boxing champion.
TV/Radio Awards:
TV: 1991 Washington State Bar Association Excellence in Legal Journalism Award- “Reflections of Violence”
TV: 1993 Emerald City Excellence in TV awards- “Portrait of a Serial Arsonist: The Paul Keller Story”
Radio: 1992 Washington State Bar Association Excellence in Legal Journalism Award- “Cop Talk!”
Boxing Awards:
2008- Fightnews.com Promoter of the Year
Professional Boxing TV Credits:
ESPN
ESPN 2
Showtime (Shobox Series)
Showtime Championship Boxing
HBO Championship Boxing
HBO Boxing After Dark
Telemundo
Univision
Fox Sports Network
Direct TV
Azteca