Promoter Joe DeGuardia proudly announces that Joey Gilbert, former season one "Contender" star and world-ranked middleweight boxer, has signed a promotional agreement to fight under the proud Star Boxing Banner.

"Joey Gilbert is a rising star in boxing and we at Star Boxing are thrilled to have him on our team," said an excited DeGuardia.

"Being a part of the Star Boxing family was a decision that will continue to elevate my status as a world class boxer and pave my way to becoming world champion," said Joey Gilbert.  "Joe DeGuardia is a class act and I'm thrilled about our partnership and the opportunity to promote boxing in a positive light once again."

Gilbert was just 8-0 when he was invited to participate in the first season of the boxing-based reality show, where his charismatic personality and exciting fighting style won over millions of viewers worldwide.  Rocky star and executive producer Sylvester Stallone said that Joey was "absolutely the heart and soul of The Contender."

Remarkably, among other extraordinary professional endeavors, Gilbert is a practicing attorney who runs his own law firm Joey Gilbert Law; founded Joey
Gilbert Companies, a multi-faceted conglomerate focusing on sports nutrition, merchandising, marketing and public relations; and established the Joey Gilbert Foundation, which develops leadership and awareness initiatives for children and young adults.

"What a unique opportunity it is to have the pleasure to promote an actual renaissance man - a lawyer, an actor, a model, a spokesman, a TV star and more importantly one helluva fighter," said DeGuardia. "Star Boxing is dedicated to showing the world that boxing has athletes that are positive role models. Joey is a perfect example of how boxing has come a long way and is fast becoming a sport that the public and corporate world can embrace."

"Star Boxing will provide the means for me to become an international franchise commodity that is not present in the industry today," said Gilbert. "I want to ensure that my appeal inside and outside the boxing arena will transcend the typical demographics and attract a broader base of viewers, particularly the young and the female fans of the sport, which comprise the majority of Joey Gilbert supporters."

Since the show, Nevada's Gilbert has gone on to capture the World Boxing Organization's (WBO) NABO Middleweight Championship under the tutelage of Boxing Writer's Association of America's 2004/2005 Trainer of the Year, Dan Birmingham, and has run his record to an impressive 12-1, 9 KOs. Gilbert recently appeared on the Showtime August 5 card as a co-main event, where he shared the spotlight with the Marquez Brothers and scored a first-round knockout victory over North Dakota's Jason Aaker in front of a sold-out crowd at Montbleu Resort Casino in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Gilbert recently returned from a two-week Goodwill Tour of troops stationed in Kuwait and Iraq, sponsored by the U.S. Army in conjunction with Pro Sports MVP. He spoke and answered questions about willpower, motivation, nutrition and wellness; provided boxing clinics and demonstrations; and visited with our brave service members