Joey Gilbert

Joseph Salvatore Gilbert (b. June 5 1976, Chicago) is a professional boxer and a lawyer, and according to his personal website, he also models and acts.

Personal life

Born in Chicago, Gilbert moved west at a young age, the son of a nurse and a military medic who served in Afghanistan. His sister works as a nutritionist and trainer, whom he works with. He started boxing at university, as he studied literature, political science and Italy studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. He then went on to act in the military before becoming a professional boxer.

Boxing career

Joey began boxing as an amateur at the University of Nevada, Reno winning three consecutive NCAA boxing championships and the Super Middleweight Nevada Golden Gloves championship. He finished his amateur career with a record of 27-1.

He was placed on the West Coast Team in reality tv show The Contender, and beat Jimmy Lange in the first round of this competition. He had been supposed to fight Anthony Bonsante. He then had his friend turned rival Jesse place him in a fight against Peter Manfredo in the Quarter Finals, which he lost in a divided decision. The fight was stopped in the fifth round due to an accidental headbutt from his opponent - which left him in hospital, the facial wound combining with back troubles.

After the Contender, Joey won a 6 round unanimous decision in the super middleweight division against James North on the undercard of the Jeff Lacy vs. Scott Pemberton card. He also won the rematch with Jimmy Lange at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA for the vacant middleweight NABO title on February 18. Joey has 16 won and 1 lose.

teroid and drug suspension

Gilbert was suspended from boxing by the Nevada Athletic Commission after he tested positive in a urinalysis before and after a Sept. 21 fight against Charles Howe [http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AiTpiZDowmwZrceOueYKkzCUxLYF?slug=ap-gilbertsuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns] . Gilbert tested positive for steroid Stanozolol Metabolite, methamphetamine, amphetamine and three other substances -- nordiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam, all substances banned by the commission. On August 12, 2008, Gilbert reached a settlement with the Nevada Athletic Commission that would allow him to fight beginning Sept. 22. The settlement will essentially hold Gilbert to a one year suspension and a fine of $10,000, about 33 percent of his purse from his last fight on September 21, 2007. Included in the settlement was the dismissal of all but the one of the drugs found in Gilbert’s system following his first-round knockout over Charles Howe in September where he won a $25,000 purse. The remaining charge was the one metabolite of steroids, while the charges for amphetamine, oxazepam, diazepam, nordiazepam and methamphetamine were dropped.

External links

* [http://www.joeygilbert.com Official Site]
* [http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Contender/boxers/joey.shtml NBC Profile]
*
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=48322415 Joey's MySpace]