RENO, NEVADA — In an intriguing crossroads bout, Joey Gilbert will attempt to leap back into contention while defending his home turf against former titleholder Kassim Ouma at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino tonight. Their regional title clash headlines “Reno Xtreme Fights VI,” an evening of boxing and mixed martial arts. Fighters weighed in Friday at the casino’s Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge.
Gilbert (20-2, 15 KOs) was a ranked middleweight by two of the major sanctioning organizations heading into a fight at this same venue three years ago. Despite scoring a quick knockout that evening, Gilbert would lose those rankings after his Nevada State Athletic Commission conducted post-fight drug test revealed the presence of banned substances. After a lengthy legal battle, Gilbert was cleared of all but one positive, which resulted in a one-year suspension. It has taken him three years, but Joey Gilbert finds himself one win away from making up for lost time and likely finding himself at the doorstep of a major fight.
Standing in Gilbert’s way is the most accomplished foe he has ever faced, in former IBF Light Middleweight Champion Ouma (26-7-1, 16 KOs) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States by way of Kampala, Uganda. Ouma has dropped five of his last six fights, but two were split decisions and the last was a controversial defeat suffered at the hands of rising contender Vanes Martirosyan earlier this year. Ouma will also be stepping up to the middleweight division for only the second time in his pro career.
Both of these fighters, Ouma especially, are known to have a high work rates and solid chins. Considering their styles, this fight could turn out to be a corker, especially if Gilbert decides to utilize his size and strength advantage while standing his ground. The term “must win” is an often overused expression, but it applies to tonight’s fight. The winner of the bout will claim the vacant NABA Middleweight title, which is affiliated with the WBA. The new champion will likely see their name listed among the top fifteen middleweight contenders when the next WBA rankings are released. Gilbert weighed in at 160, while Ouma came in at 158.
In undercard action, super middleweight prospect Mark DeLuca returns to the ring after having joined the Marine Corps in 2008. DeLuca (6-0, 4 KOs) of Whitman, Massachusetts has not fought since scoring a first round knockout in Reno in June of 2008. Opposing DeLuca will be Alex Rivera (2-3, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round bout. DeLuca weighed in at 167-pounds, while Rivera came in at 165.
In a pairing of pro debutants, Bubba Dupree of Reno will take on Nelson Lopez, also of Reno, in a four-round light heavyweight fight. Dupree came in at 180-pounds, while Lopez scaled 176.
Mixed martial arts action will include a battle of locals, as Jerel Clark (4-0, 1 KO, 2 Submissions) of Reno will take on Jack Montgomery (9-8, 2 KOs, 7 Submissions) of Winnemucca, Nevada in a three-round middleweight fight. Both fighters weighed in at 170-pounds.
In the another MMA bout, Reno’s Joe Baros (2-5, 2 KOs) will take Josh Rabedeaux (5-8, 1 Submission) of Phoenix, Arizona in a three-round bantamweight fight. Baros scaled 135, as did Rabedeaux.
A late addition to the card, John O’Donnell (2-0, 1 KO) of Fallon, Nevada will take on John Corstorphine (6-3, 1 KO, 5 Submissions) of Sacramento, California in a three-round welterweight fight. O’Donnell came in at 171-pounds, while Corstorphine weighed in at 173.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Let’s Get It On Promotions, are available online at GrandSierraResort.com.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
NABA Middleweight Championship, 10 Rounds
Gilbert 160
Ouma 158
Super Middleweights, 4 Rounds
DeLuca 167
Rivera 165
Light Heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Dupree 180
Lopez 176
MMA Weigh-in Results:
Middleweights, 3 Rounds
Clark 170
Montgomery 170
Bantamweights, 3 Rounds
Baros 135
Rabedeaux 135
Welterweights, 3 Rounds
O’Donnell 171
Corstorphine 173
Photos by Mike Searson/Examiner.com
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
