Gilbert granted continuance

Claiming he needed more time to defend himself, Reno middleweight boxer Joey Gilbert was granted a continuance Thursday by the Nevada Athletic Commission in his disciplinary case.

Gilbert tested positive for several banned substances following a Sept. 21 fight in Reno in which he scored a first-round technical-knockout victory over Charles Howe and retained his WBC-affiliated U.S. middleweight title.

Among the substances found in his system were steroids, methamphetamine and amphetamines. He remains under indefinite suspension until the matter is resolved.

In May, Gilbert tested positive for the banned substances Addarall, noriazepam, oxazepam and temazepam. No action was taken against him because Gilbert claimed he was under a doctor's care. However, he was warned that any future positive tests would result in disciplinary action.

"It's taken more time than we anticipated," Gilbert told the commission from Reno. "I'd like another few weeks to study all the information so I can give you the answers you're looking for."

At issue are the results of a "B" sample from his postfight drug test that Gilbert is having analyzed at the University of Utah's Center for Human Toxicology.

Gilbert claims the results for steroids had not been finalized in time for Thursday's hearing even though the tests revealed a positive result for amphetamine but negative for methamphetamine.

He also has changed legal counsel several times since the complaint was first filed in early October. His current lawyer, Mark Schoebert of Reno, wanted more time to review the complaint.

Commission chairman John Bailey wanted to know when Gilbert would be ready to defend himself. Gilbert said he couldn't definitely say, and the matter was tabled until Gilbert contacts the commission to ask that his case be put back on the agenda.

While Gilbert was having his "B" urine sample tested by the commission, he had an independent test conducted by Dr. Robert Voy of Las Vegas. The results showed he tested positive for Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, and negative for methamphetamine and amphetamines. That test was done Oct. 5 and analyzed by Quest Diagnostics, the same firm that the commission used to administer the initial postfight drug tests after the Sept. 21 contest.

Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director, questioned why the commission was finding out for the first time about the second test the day before the hearing. Answered Voy, "That was a private test ordered by me to see where Joey stood."

Kizer and the commission said they didn't appreciate being left in the dark. Yet, they were willing not to take any action against Gilbert.

"We want you to have a fair hearing, which you are entitled to," Bailey told Gilbert.

Said Gilbert: "I want this resolved as quickly as possible, too. It's not just about boxing for me. It's about my reputation. It's about my life."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.