Reality Stars Put On Real Fight

Story & Photo’s By Jung Chul

The Lane Brothers of Lets Get it On Promotions signed semi-finalist in The Contender Season One Jesse Brinkley to a promotional contract early this year after Brinkley reeled off three straight victories.  The Lane’s found a problem for their February 22 card in Reno, NV; they had the find an acceptable opponent for WBC to approve the USNBC title fight who would also put on a highly competitive fight that they would like to promote.  No one would step up to the fight until Otis Griffin from the other side of the mountain volunteered for the fight.  The result would be a real fight between two fighters who received their break by fighting on reality TV.

Jesse came into the Silver Legacy to a thunderous ovation that has become the norm for the local who has been the main event for cards in the area for the last several years.  Otis came in and shook off the “warm welcome” and looked like he was ready to take care of business.  The first few rounds were dominated by Jesse’s aggression; however, Otis took every punch Brinkley threw very well.  The middle rounds were more of the same, both fighters were starting wear down and more holding came.  At the end of the ninth round Brinkley landed a few hard combinations that staggered Griffin against the ropes and out on his feet.  The crowd knew it just a matter of time before the end.

Between the ninth and tenth round Griffin’s corner yelled at him to go forward and not to stay in front of Brinkley.  Knowing Griffin had only won maybe one round they were sure to make Otis know he needed a knockout to win the fight and that Brinkley was just as tired as Griffin was.  Griffin went out for the tenth round and landed a good right hand that momentarily backed Brinkley up, but it was Brinkley who would land the telling blows.  With a few seconds left in the round Brinkley would land a three punch combination that floored “The Next Great Champ”.  Griffin beat the count and the bell sounded to end the round.

Knowing his prey was on his last legs, Brinkley came out attacking in the eleventh with vicious combinations that sent Griffin into the ropes prompting Vic Drakulich to stop the fight.  Jesse threw up his arms in victory as the sell-out crowd chanted “Jesse…Jesse…Jesse!”  Brinkley let the crowd know that he would see them in three months to defend his newly won USNBC title.

After the fight Jesse told the press “I thought I was going to take him out in five or six rounds.”  Jesse admitted that Griffin’s size gave him trouble and alluded that he may have broken one of his hands.  “This was the most satisfying win of my career!” he declared. 

A touching moment occurred as Jesse was walking back to the dressing when his daughter told him, “I’m glad you won that belt Daddy.”

Jesse took the belt off his waste and gave it to her saying “Nobody’s going to take it from us baby.”

In the co-feature fight of the evening, Glenn Donaire of San Leandro, CA made his return to the ring after an unsuccessful attempt at the flyweight title a year and a half ago.  His foe was a familiar one in Jose Albuquerque of LA, a former Brazilian Olympian.  The two had previously fought to a draw almost two years ago.  Glenn controlled the action with his jab and by landing the cleaner more effective punches throughout.  In the fifth round the two clashed heads that left both fighters cut.  Both battled through the blood to the crowd’s delight.  At the end of the day Donaire would prevail by the scores of 79-73 and 77-75 twice.  According to Team Donaire, Glenn is now on track to fight Ulises Solis for IBF Jr. Flyweight title.  Terry Lane also mentioned bringing him back to fight in Reno if a title fight did not materialize.

Local favorite Derek Hinkey lost his first fight by a fourth round stoppage to Tony Hirsch a former Oakland Raider.  Hirsch was able to consistently land his right hands while Hinkey had his hands down and played to the crowd.  After three tough rounds Hinkey was down two rounds to one as the crowd started chanting “Derek…Derek…Derek” to cheer him on to pull off another knockout.  Unfortunately for Hinkey he would catch another right, this time putting him down.  Derek beat the count, but when he came out Tony was there to finish the job as he floored Hinkey again.  The fight would be stopped immediately after the second knockdown.

Emily Klinefelter won a four round decision in her pro debut against Elizabeth Cervantes by shutting out her opponent in every round.  Emily was a seasoned amateur champion who has won the most senior women’s national titles and is a former women’s world amateur champion and a gold medalist at the 2006 Pan Am Games.

It was not all lost for the Hinkey Brothers as Tyler bounced back from his draw last fall to knockout Travis Biechler of MMA fame.  Tyler put on Travis several hard combinations dropping him twice before the referee stopped the fight.  In the opening bout, local favorite Michael Peralta won a four round majority decision over Oscar Marin.

In all it was another excellent night of boxing at The Silver Legacy promoted by Terry and Tommy Lane.  According to Terry, they are co-promoting a card in Rhode Island next and will return to Reno in May.