Carson City's Michael Peralta and Reno's Derek Hinkey, who will be making his professional debut, will be among the fighters on the card for the first boxing event promoted by Joey Gilbert.
Joey Gilbert Promotions will be producing the first annual Snow Brawl to be held at the MontBleu Resort Casino in South Tahoe on Friday, March 2, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the first bout beginning at 7.
Gilbert, a TV star from the reality show "The Contender" and WBO-NABO Middleweight Champion, will be headlining the event at 9 p.m. against Robert Dula (15-2-1, 8 KOs). This will be his second title defense. Gilbert's first successful title defense resulted in a sixth round TKO victory over Keith Sims of Kansas City in New York on October 11.
Gilbert is not only headlining the fight card, he is also promoting the entire event.
"I'm a businessman and attorney first, and a boxer second, so it just made sense to do my own thing the best that I can," Gilbert said. "I understand what sacrifices must be made to achieve my dreams and I can truly see eye to eye with younger fighters and help guide their careers."
Gilbert is only the second person to become a promoter during his boxing career, with Oscar De La Hoya being the first.
"I've looked up to Oscar De La Hoya throughout my career," Gilbert said. "He is both an intelligent fighter and pro-active businessman."
As a world-ranked professional fighter, Gilbert is currently the World Boxing Organization's NABO Middleweight Champion and ranked No. 9 by the WBO as a middleweight with a record of 13-1, with 10 knockouts.
Prior to his professional career, Gilbert was a collegiate fighter at the University of Nevada. There he was a three-time national champion, a four-time regional champion, a four-time All American, and Nevada State Golden Gloves Super Middleweight Champion.
Gilbert's goals as a promoter are loftier than most. "From my previous experiences, I saw how many promoters treated their clients and I knew I could do a much better job and help brighten up the sport of boxing," said Gilbert. "I am going to be embarking on some very different opportunities in the fight game, harnessing new technologies and bridging the gap into some huge underserved markets, including forming strategic partnerships with like-minded individuals from Mexico City, the UK, Japan and China. It is going to be exciting and some very brilliant people are involved!"
Other scheduled fighters on the undercard for the Snow Brawl include: Heavyweight Lenroy Thomas from St. Petersburg, Fla; WBA No. 7-ranked Super Flyweight Nonito Donaire from San Leandro, Calif.; WBC-IBA Lightweight Champion Eliza Olson from Fresno, Calif.; Super Middleweight Hinkey; Junior Welterweight Peralta; Lightweight Jamie Rodriguez from Reno; and Lightweight Kermit Gonzalez from Methuen, Mass.
"I am excited to bring this event to MontBleu and Lake Tahoe," Gilbert said. "I've always received great support from Reno/Tahoe and the surrounding area. The team of fighters I've put together is great, and I'm especially proud to be working with Reno's own Derek Hinkey as he makes his pro debut. This is a big event for our region and I can't wait to see the stands filled with boxing fans from the area!"
Tickets are available at www.montbleuresort.com, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 648-3353.