Following a blistering war of words over the last few years, super middleweights Joey Gilbert and Jesse Brinkley have agreed to settle their score in the ring on Friday, January 30th, it was jointly announced today by co-promoters Chet Koerner of Las Vegas' TKO Boxing Promotions and Terry Lane's Let's Get It On Promotions of Reno.
"It's a bout that has to happen. Everywhere Jesse goes in Reno , fans always ask when he's going to shut up Joey. They've never gotten along and it's really turned into a bitter grudge match. Come January 30th fans are going to see a real war between these two when they finally settle things." said Terry Lane .
Added Chet Koerner, "This is a terrific fight for boxing fans especially in the state of Nevada . I've worked with Joey for a long time and he's always wanted to fight Brinkley in a major bout. Joey feels that Jesse double crossed him on The Contender Season 1 and they've never gotten a chance to fight each other.
We're talking to casinos and other sites in Nevada as well as television networks and we hope to have final details on the location, advance ticket sales and the broadcast in the very near future. It's a huge fight for fans of both guys and we want to make this a special event for them."
Since his controversial loss to Peter Manfredo Jr. on The Contender, Gilbert, 15-1 (11KO's) has run off a six bout winning streak culminating in a tenth round stoppage of unbeaten Juan Astorga on May 12, 2007 at the Reno Events Center. He followed that with a first round knockout of Charles Howe on September 21st, a result later changed to a no contest.
"I made a costly mistake leading up to the Howe fight and paid dearly for it. Boxing fans deserve better and against Brinkley I'm looking to make amends" said Gilbert.
Brinkley, 31-5 (21KO's) is riding a five bout winning streak, most recently dominating Jason Naugler, sweeping all twelve rounds on June 13th in Reno. Prior to that he won the vacant WBC USNBC title from Otis Griffin on February 22nd, knocking him out in the 11th round.
Said Brinkley, "It's time to settle this. He's been running his mouth for years demeaning me. On January 30th I'm going to finish him and settle this once and for all."
Reno, Nevada based "Let's Get It On" Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane . In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with Jesse Brinkley, "Let's Get It On" Promotions also promotes highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events in northern Nevada .
Further information on "Let's Get It On" Promotions can be viewed at www.letsgetitonboxing.com
Formed in early 2008, the Las Vegas based TKO Boxing Promotions stable includes; middleweights Bastie "THE BEAST" Samir and James Countryman, junior middleweight Anthony Thompson, lightweights Rolando Reyes, Raul Tovar and Terrence Crawford, the sister team of Katie and Emily Klinefelter, featherweight Carney Bowman, super bantamweight Rafael Valenzuela and junior flyweight Austreberto Juarez.