04.10.07 – By Matthew Hurley: Nevada State Athletic Commission director Keith Kizer recently revealed that middleweight boxer Joey Gilbert has been suspended for testing positive for upwards of six banned substances after a recent bout. Gilbert was a former fighter on the hit reality television series The Contender during its first season run in 2004..
Gilbert’s most recent fight came in his home state of Nevada. The (16 and 1) boxer stopped pugilist Charles Howe in the first round after two knockdowns. The fight was contested on Friday, September 21st of this year. Gilbert’s company promoted the card.
A complaint was filed against Gilbert after his pre and post-fight urinalysis tests resulted in positive readings for stanozolol metabolite (a steroid), methamphetamine, amphetamine, nordiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam.
An incredulous Kizer gave a statement to ESPN that, “I don’t think we’ve ever had anyone test positive for that many things. I don’t remember anyone who had more than, say, three in their system in my ten years with the commission. This is one of the least fun parts of the job.”
This latest revelation, apparently unquestioned because of the test results and Kizer’s immediate ruling after examining the results, comes on the heels of a recent Sports Illustrated article linking boxer Sugar Shane Mosley to steroid use in 2003 in his ongoing struggle with the BALCO scandal. Mosley has repeatedly and consistently denied he ever used steroids and rigorously denied the accusations filed by the Sports Illustrated writers and this writer who wrote an article, in no condemning fashion, for this website. Until testing positive for any performance enhancing drug Mosley will always be given the benefit of the doubt at this address, but this lingering albatross is not only annoying Mosley but beginning to haunt him.
Kizer also revealed that Gilbert is a practicing attorney so it will be interesting to see if he appeals his own suspension. A review of the findings will be held later in October. After the final review Gilbert will receive a hearing in front of the commission which could result in a monetary penalty along with a revoking of his license for a mandated period. The result of the bout with Charles Howe will, in all likelihood, be changed to a no-contest.
As of yet, Gilbert has not commented on the suspension.