Gilbert not confirmed for boxing card

According to a press release issued to the Nevada Appeal by the Eldorado Hotel Casino on Wednesday, Reno's Joey Gilbert was set to defend his North American Boxing Organization middleweight title "in a 10-round fight" August 19 at the Reno Events Center.

But Mark Schopper, chief strategist for Team Gilbert, said Thursday that announcement was news to him.

"We don't have a bout agreement with the properties in Reno," Schopper said. "We've been waiting for it."

According to the release, which was reported by the Appeal on Thursday, the six-bout card was to be headlined by Paul "The Punisher" Williams, who would defend a pair of regional belts against former junior welterweight titlist Sharmba Mitchell.

In addition to Gilbert, 11-1 with 8 knockouts, 2004 United States Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward, 2004 English Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Audley Harrison and undefeated heavyweight Chris Arreola were also reportedly on the card, which will be televised by HBO's "Boxing After Dark."

The Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Resort Casino were said to be bringing the card to Reno in conjunction with Gossen Tudor Promotions.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission confirmed Thursday that card will be held Aug. 19 in Reno, as did Rachel Charles, public relations representative for Goossen Tudor Promotions. But Charles said she could not comment on who was scheduled to be on the card and that the press release should not have been issued by the Eldorado.

If Gilbert were to defend his NABO belt, the bout would have to be scheduled for 12 rounds, not 10.

Julia Peaua, publicist for the Eldorado, said she had experienced difficulty in receiving complete information from Goossen Tudor Promotions.

"We were moving on the information that we got from Goossen, even though it was an incomplete card," Peaua said. "We thought they (the fighters) were confirmed and that we were getting complete information."

The 30-year-old Gilbert, a three-time national champion for the University of Nevada club boxing team, last fought on Feb. 18, knocking out Jimmy Lange in three rounds, in Fairfax, Va.

Gilbert, who rose to international stardom on the NBC reality show "The Contender," last fought in Northern Nevada on Nov. 5, taking a unanimous six-round decision over James North.

For now Gilbert's immediate future remains uncertain.

"At this point," said Schopper, "we'll announce which card he'll be on in the next day or two, when we have a bout agreement with one of the properties."