Faces Kassim Ouma Saturday!
One thing you notice right away about Joey Gilbert–there is no lack of energy with this guy. If you happen to spend time any time at all talking to him, you will get caught up in a whirlwind of positive energy and can-do attitude that bursts from this self-proclaimed disciple of success coach Tony Robbins.
The boxer is facing southpaw Kassim “The Dream” Ouma (26-7-1, 16 KOs) TOMORROW night, September 25 in Reno, Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. It’s safe to say “The Contender” alum hopes to “awaken the giant within” and “unleashing the power” in this pivotal match for both fighters vying for the vacant NABA middleweight strap in this weekend’s “Reno Xtreme Fights VI” 
presented by Terry and Tommy Lane’s Let’s Get It On Promotions.
I first met the Gilbert in July and also reconnected with him this week for a follow-up chat where he speaks about walking on red hot coals with Tito Ortiz, opens up about how being bullied and teased as a child has affected him, and reveals his thoughts on battling the rugged Ouma.
You’ll also read about the cruel childhood taunts and the nickname that traumatized him as a young boy, which actually fueled his fire and desire to make something out of himself–and his life. Most importantly, hear how he’s on a mission to help other youngsters who might be afflicted with child obesity, just as he himself once was.
Meeting in his hometown of Reno earlier this summer, I was immediately struck by his optimism and passion for boxing, his new baby girl and his legal career. Yes, the slugger is also a criminal defense attorney. “I saw ‘Jerry Maguire’ and was inspired!” the good-natured pugilist said. “That’s why I went to law school. And someday I’d love to be a ‘Super Agent’ for fighters.”
By now, the judges must be used to the puncher arriving in court with an occasional mouse under an eye or a swollen nose maybe just slightly askew by a fist that found its target. But this middleweight with a record of 20-2 with 15 KOs, is used to such dichotomies in his life as a boxer and lawyer.
It’s been a remarkable journey for the busy and friendly fighter as I listened to him recall his routine as an up-and-coming boxer and law student. “I’d wake up at 5 a.m. for ‘The Contender’ and I’d be studying for the bar too!” he reminisces with a chuckle. “I went to the UNR (University of Nevada, Reno) and was in the SAE fraternity. And I was 5-0 when I graduated from law school!”
A chance meeting with a famed referee and Reno resident changed Joey’s career path along the way. While Gilbert may have hung up his amateur gloves to take on court cases full time, boxing wasn’t out of the college boy’s blood just yet. “At a Homecoming I met Mills Lane who told me, ‘You’ve gotta give it a shot!’ so that’s how I turned pro.”
The professional prizefighter is also a veteran serviceman. “I’ve been in the Air Force and Air National Guard,” he explains. “I’ve been to Afghanistan two times; Iraq one time.” After his stint was over, he continued to travel the globe visiting and supporting fellow soldiers during USO tours for boxing clinics, visits to boost their morale and more. “Just think ‘M*A*S*H*’!” laughs the boxer, still just in his early 30s. “It was awesome and very rewarding to meet the locals too!”
This confident and outgoing young man is also a softie known for lending his time and support to several charitable organizations. “I’m a philanthropist too. I work with JDF (Juvenile Diabetes Research),” he said, of giving back to others. “My new focus is fighting childhood obesity.”
A self-described former “fat” kid, this pro boxer is now virtually a poster boy for abs of steel. Dealing head on with the painful remnants of his early years, Gilbert is doing an admirable job in encouraging overweight children to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
When I comment about how he’s juggling a lot in his life, he agrees, nodding, “I’m kind of like a ‘Renaissance Man’ in boxing!” Not only talking the talk but walking the walk, he shows no signs of stopping now with his Joey Gilbert Companies’ various business endeavors.
And back in July, there was a new addition in his life, a daughter Aiella Giselle (named after Joey’s grandpa Aiello), who was just eight weeks old at the time. The brand new daddy proudly showed us photos of his beautiful baby as he held out his phone, shielding it from the blazing Reno sun so I could view the pics.
“I’m a hands-on dad; I change diapers!” he proudly stated, of going to combat with the formidable diaper duty. Even just a scant few hours after his victory against Bill Bailey, the middleweight didn’t let fatigue from the previous night’s brawl slow him down. The pug, who told me he cross trains with MMA fighters Tito Ortiz and Diego Sanchez, was already looking ahead to possible foes when asked who he’d like next. “I’d like to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and John Duddy,” he said back then. Flash forward a couple of months later and Gilbert is now getting a chance at another name opponent in Kassim Ouma.
Best known for being part of the very first season of “The Contender,” Gilbert is part of an all-star alumni who have fought on to make names for themselves, including his “Contender” comrades Alfonso Gomez, Sergio Mora, Peter Manfredo Jr., Miguel Espino and Ishe Smith.
I asked one of his former teammates what he thinks about Gilbert’s success–in and out of the ring–post-“Contender.” “What can I say about Joey?” Alfonso Gomez enthused. “He is a very good tactician. He develops a good strategy to accomplish a task and executes it perfectly. He does that in life and in the ring–that’s why he’s successful in both. I really enjoyed hanging out with him during and after ‘The Contender.’ We had a blast at the ESPYs and at many other red carpet events. He’s a great guy!” Staying active himself, Gomez will be fighting Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on December 4.
The hit TV series helped catapult all the guys toward a lucrative career. Five years later, Joey’s won both WBO NABO and WBC USNBC middleweight championships.
Now he’s focused on the Nevada showdown with Ouma where billboards line the highways touting Reno’s local boy. He says he’s ready for this duel in the desert. But Kassim is one tough customer, one whom Joey shows the utmost respect for outside of the ring. Inside the squared circle, Gilbert plans to make his own dreams come true.
The middleweight graciously took time during a break in training camp with his coach and former fighter Skipper Kelp. The Italian-American boxer is known as one of the nicest guys in the sport for his big heart, true grit and fierce determination and drive. Listen in as Joey is open, forthright and engaging in this exclusive conversation.
Michele Chong: Hi Joey! You looking lean and ready to go in the new photos. Did you do anything differently this time while training to take on Kassim Ouma?
Joey Gilbert: Hi Michele! You know, I haven’t done anything that I haven’t done in the past but I have brought a lot of resources to me, rather than go out to Tampa or go to Las Vegas. I brought everybody here and we’ve been in the Reno area for four or five weeks. Skip’s been here about three and I brought my speed and conditioning coach Mark from Tampa, Florida too.
MC: Your opponent, Kassim Ouma, was forced to become a child soldier in the war. Have you seen the documentary about his life?
JG: I did see parts of it and then you know you can find stuff online so I watched little bits and pieces of it, my whole team did. I don’t like to have any personal aspects with anybody that I’m fighting. But it is an incredible story and it’s something to be admired and it’s actually inspiring! And to me, it’s an honor, an absolute honor to fight him–to have a chance to match my skill against someone like him, like Kassim, a true former world champion. To say adversity for him is an understatement. For me, that’s what opportunity is all about! That’s why this fight is so appealing. We’re both gonna give the crowd an excellent fight, I promise you that!
MC: Since our last visit with you, you’ve been involved with a celebrity roast, a golf tournament, charity events, and so much more! In the last two and a half months, you’ve been really busy…
JG: I believe in giving back to the community to be involved and growing as a person is just as important as growing as a fighter or a businessman. I’m a big Tony Robbins person; I’ve been to all of his events. I actually have a little degree from Mastery University. Well, I won’t say “little,” I value that as much as my four-year degree from Nevada. And I try and give a good percentage of my time for things like the charity roast we had to benefit Shriners (Hospitals for Children). If it’s kids or military, I’m probably not gonna say no! (Laughs)
I was also in Carson City teaching a boxing seminar. I brought my coaches with me, Tony and Clint and myself, and we all went down as a team and talked to the boxers for about two hours. It was really cool and I think I’ll be coming to Vegas to do that once a month.
I’m also about to be on the board of a child obesity prevention. Child obesity, the prevention of that, is probably THE biggest priority for me. I’m passionate about it; I really want to see something done about it because I think it’s gonna be a huge, huge problem.
MC: You sound very passionate about this fight against childhood obesity…
JG: When I started boxing, I was pudgy…And well, I was visiting these schools since I was a three-time national champ and now I’m coming back 10-15 years down the line and I see all these fat faces and it’s freaking me out. Because I might have been 20-30 pounds overweight at the most–and my nickname was “Doey,” that’s what the seniors called me.
MC: “Doughy” like bread dough? Not trying to make you feel bad, but just want to be accurate…
JG: D-O-E-Y (he patiently spells out) But yeah, like doughy…That’s what they called me…(His voice trails off)
MC: That must have been really hard on you. Kids can be so mean.
JG: You know, you can go a couple of ways when people do that to you: You can become a bitter, unhappy little person OR you can laugh it off. Thank God I shrugged it off, got up to Nevada, grew four inches and got in a boxing program!!!
But with computers, phones, video games, the kids are not exercising. I turned out okay when people called me “Doey,” pushed me around and bullied me! But there’s a lot of kids that won’t (be okay). It WAS tough; it was disheartening and disturbing. It took a Tony Robbins seminar to help me to see why I had this obesity. So we can prevent kids from doing this through self-reflection, meditation, looking deep inside yourself. I talk to the kids about nutrition and exercise and try and make it fun, keeping it short and sweet. It’s really cool!
MC: Do you ever think to yourself that the kids who used to tease you are probably overweight coach potatoes now?
JG: I’d feel worse to see them out of shape and miserable than to be able to say, “Who’s fat now?” I think health and wellness is such a gift and we’re blessed. If you DON’T have it, you don’t even know what you’re missing anymore.
MC: Well, now your buddies call you “Tony Robbins”–after your mentor. (Laughs)
JG: Yeah, now my nickname around my friends is “Tony Robbins”! (Laughs) I’m always shooting them training tips and constantly preaching to them. (He then tells me a funny story about finding contraband snacks in his training camp).
MC: Did you walk on hot coals during your Robbins training?
JG: Oh yeah, coals…I’ve done everything! I’ve done the Tony Robbins’ Mastery University, Date with Destiny, Unleash the Power and more. I do a lot of visualizations, affirmations. I’m very confident, very excited, very high energy!
I’m also a Punishment fighter with Tito Ortiz and in 2008, Diego (Sanchez) and Tito (Ortiz) and I did a seminar too. In Big Bear, we walked coals together! (Chuckles)
MC: That’s funny; I’m trying to picture that! So about this weekend, I have to ask you: Any predictions for this Saturday?
JG: For me, I’m always the same way; I give everyone respect whoever it its. But with a guy of Kassim’s stature, it really is an honor. I’m not saying that to be a punk, I’m saying that it really is a cool opportunity to get in there with him. You know, the bottom line is: If you win these things, I’ll be talking to more people, more reporters. If I don’t, I won’t. (He laughs a little)
You know, it’s a big deal for me, I look at it like that and I’ve treated it as such–my biggest opportunity, my biggest fight. We put the resources in place for that, we’ve spared nothing…That’s all I talk about in my camp. I have no excuses.
I don’t ever like to say anything besides the fact that I do recognize what a tremendous opportunity this is; I’m coming to win just like Kassim is! I hold too much respect for him to make any predictions.
MC: Do you think the 160 weight will be an extra challenge for Ouma?
JG: He’s not one of those guys, with other guys I might say that! You saw some of that film with him? This kid, I don’t know why I’m calling him a “kid”…This man is a pretty amazing person! Without sounding like I worship him, I’m pretty inspired by the things he’s done. He’s as tough as they come! So I’m sure he’s not sweating the 160 pounds. He fought Jermain Taylor at 160 and Jermain’s a beast so let’s just see.
But I’m not taking anything away from myself. I’ve prepared very hard; I’m very disciplined. I haven’t had sugar, or soda, or bread–anything! Five weeks to get me where I was in 2005, ’06. I’m very disciplined and I’ve done it! You know it’s been miserable at times but it’s also very rewarding. They say “steel sharpens steel” and with the strict diet I’ve gotten very strong up here.
MC: Do you have any messages for your fans?
JG: Expect a good, clean fight. I say clean, ’cause I hope it is a clean fight. You know, expect an exciting fight! You’ve got two guys–one of them’s been at the top of the hill, meaning Kassim. It’s gonna come down to who wants it more? And I think it’s my time right now. I’ve really changed a lot about myself as a person, how I do things, who I was, now what I’ve become to get to this point. I’ve had to go through a tremendous amount of change and I think it’s my time now! I’m gonna be hungrier. I’m coming not to have a war with him but to win the battle!
Like I said, I don’t make predictions but I don’t see myself losing this fight, Michele, I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m at a place now–with no offense to past opponents–I’m taking it like this is my world title shot. If I beat this guy, who knows what’s gonna happen?
MC: Everyone comments about your upbeat personality and that you’re almost always laughing or smiling.
JG: Yes, laughing is probably one of the things that’s what people say most about me! Smiling and laughing. You can lock me in a closet and have a great time. I always find a way to entertain myself and others.
MC: Do you ever get tired of all the “The Contender” references?
JG: No! No I don’t because I walked into a boxing gym at 19 years old. I’d never boxed before and I was a short, little, fat pudgy kid. I got beat up and here I learned how to fight. So for me, at 19, to get to this level of success, for me there was no other way. I didn’t come out of a city amateur program. And sure, I won three national titles in Nevada and Golden Gloves but the exposure that “The Contender” generated us is why we’re on the phone right now! It’s why I’m fighting Kassim Ouma, let’s be honest. There are plenty of guys with the same record, similar records, an entertaining fighter no one’s ever heard of, but preparation is when luck meets opportunity!
For me, here I am in Las Vegas and I run into Sly Stallone at the Mandalay Bay and the rest is history. (Laughs)
And that’s how I met Tony Robbins. He was at the filming of “The Contender” and I marched up to him and said, “Mr. Robbins, my name’s Joey Gilbert and I believe one of the reasons why I’m on this set here filming is because of YOU. I’ve listened to you, I run every day, I take training supplements.” He looks at me and says, “Wow! And you’ve never been to a seminar? When you get off of here, give me a call.” And I did.
Skipper Kelp said it would all make a good movie someday! You’d never believe it, the stuff out there. Trips to Afghanistan, to Iraq, flying to Tokyo for Stallone’s company to represent him at trade shows. I was “Baby Stallone” from “The Contender”! It was ridiculous.
MC: Well, it looks like you’re handling being a boxer, attorney and father very well.
JG: I have a great team!
MC: I met Clint in Reno, you’ve known him since college, right?
JG: Yes, Clint is my college friend and training camp manager. He’s my right hand man, my boxing director. During training if I’m sometimes not available, he has to handle almost everything. So him and Molly, the Executive Director of the law firm, handle everything. It’s a great team.
MC: And you still have your law office?
JG: Yes, with William Routsis. You know what’s funny about William? I don’t know if I told you this but William was a two-time national champ in college as a boxer, as college fighter and we met through the alumni program. That’s how we met and we instantly took a liking to each other. He’s been a mentor to me. I’ve gone to District Court now alone and I love being in court!
There’s Kate, Will Swafford, who’s like the third partner, Connie, Molly and Eileen. It’s a great professional staff. I’m very blessed; a lot of guys couldn’t do what I do but I can because of the team I have in place the way they interact.
MC: Well, I know everyone’s looking forward to your fight this Saturday.
JG: You know, Michele, I’ve reconnected with Sugar Ray Leonard, people that I haven’t talked to in a while, celebrity friends that I really haven’t been able to get excited for any of my fights. They’ve been calling, texting, posting or supporting me in some way that I realize this IS my big shot!
True champions and people who are star athletes, they rise to the occasion; they get it done. So in the face of adversity, I’ve gotta shine in this one. So that’s kind of how I’m going into this bout saying, “You know what? This is one of those fights that if you win, you move on…If you don’t, you look for something else to do!”
By all means, I should be able to win and that’s nothing against Kassim Ouma. He’s been there but I don’t know how much this sport means to him anymore.
MC: And finally, I have to ask you how your baby Aiella doing?
JG: She’s unbelievable! Part of this process–to get to that zone–is that I see her once a week (while away at training camp). That’s four times in four weeks. So what I crave this Sunday is the NFL Network, a homemade pizza, a beer and my daughter! Molly makes an incredible homemade pizza and it’s all I’ve been thinking about! Everyone’s gonna be over; I’ve known Clint since 1994, Skipper from collegiate boxing 1995 and Molly for nine or ten years. We’re like a big family. It’s very cool and nice to have everyone over.
We’ll have pizza and Aiella, we call her the “Little Bug” or I call her “Dolly Girl,” she’s gonna be on my lap.
MC: Sounds like a perfect Sunday plan: NFL, homemade pizza and your daughter!
JG: (He interjects) AND A BEER, a Bud Light! (Laughs) I don’t like to really drink alcohol but I like the taste of a good, cold beer!
MC: Oh yeah, can’t forget the beer. (Laughs) Thanks again, Joey. Great catching up with you!
JG: Thanks, Michele. And hopefully we’ll have something to talk about after the fight. But if not, I know how this game works…
MC: (Laughs) Joey, I am sure I’ll have some questions for you after your fight! Have a great fight and enjoy your Sunday.
JG: Thanks!
This Saturday, the popular “Contender” star will find himself at another crossroads in his career in what many are calling a “must-win” for both of these warriors.
For the once-chubby schoolboy, the only “doughy” uttered today would be about that delicious pizza pie that he’ll enjoy the day after his fight. For the athlete who didn’t even begin to box until his late teens, Joey says he’s ready for his newest challenge this weekend.
Will Kassim Ouma, the Ugandan-born gladiator, steal the thunder from the homegrown hero?
In the words of Tony Robbins, a mentor to Gilbert and to millions worldwide, “The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.”
However, I don’t think Joey’s depending on luck alone. Preparing through a rigorous and stringent training camp for this new chance for another title is something he relishes. His life has been filled with twists of fate; a series of chance encounters, a few favorable circumstances, and a bounty of opportunities that came his way. But he has also suffered some well-documented setbacks in the past while on the road toward success as well.
Only looking ahead now, Gilbert plans to be ready this weekend with his own unlimited power waiting to be unleashed.
Gilbert vs. Ouma
“Reno Xtreme Fights VI”
Let’s Get It On Promotions
Saturday, September 25
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Doors open 7:00 p.m./ First bout 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: 1-800-648-3568 or www.grandsierraresort.com
(Bouts subject to change)
Reno photo by Michele Chong/ Additional photos courtesy of Joey Gilbert/JGC
