Why do some boxing fans like to rag on The Contender? In a recent edition of The Ring Magazine, writer Jeff Ryan says he’s “hoping” that season 4 would be the last of the show.
Why?
Boxing writers and fans complain when ESPN cancelled “Wednesday Night Fight’s” and when Telefutura cancelled “Solo Boxeo”, two shows that accounted for a significant chunk of televised boxing that aired throughout recent years. Yet, there are some fans and writers that want even less boxing on TV with the cancellation of The Contender?
I understand that people don’t like reality television. “John & Kate plus 8” sucks and “The Real World” hasn’t been entertaining since Ruthie went to the hospital for alcohol poisoning in Hawaii. However, The Contender is one hour of weekly show about boxing that exposes the sport to new fans and new fighters. For that, I am a fan.
Take a look at some of the alumni from the show and what they’ve accomplished.
Sergio Mora – went on to win a junior middleweight world title and is currently in the running to challenge middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik.
Alfonso Gomez – brutally KO’s future Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti and would challenge Miguel Cotto for a world welterweight title, being stopped in 5 rounds.
Peter Manfredo Jr. – Packed the Dunkin Donuts Center in his hometown of Providence, RI for consecutive KO wins of former world title challenger Scott Pemberton and Rhode Island rival Joey Spina. However, came up short in challenging world champ Joe Calzaghe, Jeff lacy, and Sakio Bika.
Steve Forbes – Fought 12 hard rounds above his natural weight class against Oscar De La Hoya and Andre Berto in a title fight, losing both bouts. Got absolutely robbed against junior welterweight contender Demetrius Hopkins.
Sakio Bika – Blasted Peter Manfredo in 3 rounds and is on the verge of a big fight with any number of top super middleweight’s.
Without “The Contender”, none of these fighters would be as popular as they have become. In the case of Sergio Mora, a title shot probably would have never occurred, let alone a title win.
Just a few weeks ago, former Contender participants Jesse Brinkley and Joey Gilbert drew a crowd of almost 7,000 to see them fight. I’m not saying either of these guys will ever win a major world title, but the excitement they created for their fight was something that many world champions can’t do. Keep in mind last year’s Chad Dawson – Antonio Tarver light heavyweight title fight barely drew 2,000 fans in Las Vegas.
Troy Ross, the recent season 4 Contender champion, was a virtual unknown prior to the show. However, after his impressive showing in the contender tournament, were he went 4-0, with 3 KO’s, he’s ready to mix it up with any of the top 10 cruiserweights.
Hino Ehikamenor, the season 4 runner-up, was also an unknown prior to the show. However, after impressive victories over former world title challengers Darnell “The Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson and Rico Hoye, he’s a name fighter who is sure to get some descent TV fight’s despite losing to Troy Ross in the finale.
Rico Hoye, who finished this year’s show in 3rd place, has rejuvenated his career. Once a light heavyweight contender, Hoye can now try his hand with the top cruisers in the world after a long layoff before his participation in the show.
With boxing no longer on network television and its exposure on cable becoming more limited, here’s to hoping “The Contender” gets picked up for a 5th season.
Assorted Notes:
- When I asked Akinyemi “AK” Laleye “what happened?” after his unanimous decision loss to Rico Hoye in the battle of the bronze match-up at the finale, he responded in a humorous manner saying ,“It’s your fault…I did too many interviews with 8countnews.com instead of training the past few weeks.” Funny guy.
- Tony Danza uses a lot of hand sanitizer after shaking hands with people. Very friendly guy though…he shakes a lot hands.
Peter Czymbor and "Tough" Tony Danza
- Courtney Merfield and her colleagues do an excellent job with the publicity for The Contender.
- The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods is a great venue for boxing. There’s talk that Jermain Taylor’s next fight against super middleweight titleholder Carl Froch will end up there. Here’s to hoping it does.
- I’m picking Juan Diaz to win a close decision over Juan Manuel Marquez this weekend. However, I could easily see it going the other way.
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