By Jake Donovan

The good news for Grady Brewer is that he will be close to home for his 41st birthday.

Whether it’s good or bad that he’ll be spending it in the ring depends on the viewpoint, as he faces Michael Medina at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City on December 22. 

The bout will be Brewer’s fourth of 2011, a year that includes a huge upset knockout win over previously unbeaten Fernando Guerrero on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Brewer (28-13, 16KO) picked up a regional title that night, which will be at stake in the main event against Medina (24-3, 19KO). 

Brewer won Season 2 of The Contender, edging out Stevie Forbes in their September 2006. Injuries prevented him from truly capitalizing on the momentum, as he didn’t return to the ring for another two years. Four straight wins followed to run his unbeaten streak to eight fights, the longest of his career, before running into Erislandy Lara in January ’10.

Another extended break from the ring followed until Brewer resurfaced with a win over Abel Perry in Tulsa this past May. One month later came the knockout over Guerrero, adding to his reputation as a perennial spoiler. His luck was short-lived, running into unbeaten Demetrius Andrade in his last fight this past August. 

Brewer’s four fights in 2011 will mark his most active campaign since his Contender-winning effort in 2006, though three of those bouts were scheduled five-rounders. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter @JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.