Kassim Ouma Returns To the Ring Against Joey Gilbert in Reno

Added on Aug 26, 2010 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

The Reno Xtreme Fights Series presented by Let’s Get It On Promotions will return with its sixth installment on Saturday, September 25 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The main attraction of the evening will feature Kassim “The Dream” Ouma (26-7-1, 16 KOs) as he takes on local fighter Joey Gilbert (20-2, 15 KOs) for the vacant NABA middleweight title.

Ouma, who was drafted into the Ugandan Army at the age of seven, boxed as an amateur sporting a record of 60-3. While in the United States to participate in a boxing tournament, Ouma defected from his native Uganda. He turned pro back in July of 1998 and worked his way up the junior middleweight rankings in the years to come. Nearly seven years after his pro debut, Ouma found himself with a record of 19-1-1 while set to take on Verno Phillips for the IBF Jr. Middleweight crown.

Ouma claimed the title with a 12 round unanimous decision and successfully defended his title just once before dropping a decision to Roman Kamazin in 2005.

Following the most significant loss of his career, Ouma bounced back with four consecutive wins while picking up a couple of regional belts in the process. Things would soon take a turn for the worse, however, beginning in December of 2006 as he moved up in weight to challenge Jermain Taylor for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world. Ouma’s unanimous decision loss to Taylor would subsequently lead to him dropping four of his next five bouts, with his lone victory coming against the less than stellar Martinus Clay via TKO in the sixth round.

His most recent outing pitted him against Top Rank junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan in January of this year. Martirosyan defended the division’s lightly regarded NABF and WBO NABO belts with a ten round decision.

Now Ouma looks to get back to his winning ways at the tail end of next month when he takes on former Contender reality TV show alum, Joey Gilbert.

“I can’t wait to get back into the ring in Reno.” Says Ouma. “I am thankful for this opportunity. Boxing is my life and my passion.”

Ouma’s dance partner is Reno, NV’s own, Joey Gilbert. A once top-ten ranked middleweight, Gilbert has an opportunity to position himself for a world title shot again. He has won three fights in a row, two by knockout.

Gilbert has been in the ring with a couple of the best middle and super-middleweights in the world. His first defeat came against current IBO middleweight champion, Peter Manfredo Jr. That fight ended prematurely as a result of an accidental headbutt, and Manfredo’s hand was raised by way of technical decision. In February of 2008, Gilbert went twelve hard rounds with super-middleweight world title challenger, Jesse Brinkley, and lost a decision. Now back at middleweight, the 34 year old Gilbert realizes the opportunity that is in front of him.

“It is an honor to fight Kassim Ouma.” Says Gilbert. “This is my shot, however, and I am committed to winning. A lot is on the line in this fight.”

The winner of Gilbert vs. Ouma will earn a top 15 world ranking by the WBA, and will be eligible for an optional title defense by the champion, Germany’s Felix Sturm.