The Contender | The Blog

The Contender | The Blog | Versus

By John Wayne Parr
December 3, 2008

Tony Danza is the new host of the Contender and brings an exciting and fresh feel to the Contender loft. Tony is not just there to help the boys out, but once had a dream of being a Contender himself having his last fight 1980. With a record 12 fights, nine wins and nine KOs, Tony knows what it feels like to be a boxer with a dream.

All 16 fighters are brought into the training area for the first time. With Tony there in front of them, the dream is now a reality and the boys know they are there to get down to business. The boys are introduced to the trainers, Tommy Brooks for the Gold Team and John Bray for the Blue. After a quick introduction of how the competition works, the boys are told to go to the living area where they will find their bags -- Gold or Blue. Once the boys realize what team they are on, they form bonds to make their teams stronger. Unpacking their bags in their team rooms, they have their first chance to see each other’s families and get to know one another better.

The tension already started over a game of pool between Erick Vega and Joell Godfrey. Both boys began smack talking and, within a minute, they wanted to stamp their authority by calling each other out. Neither wanted to back down and both agreed that they should be the first to enter the ring.

The next day the fighters get a chance to see the gym and go through their paces shadow boxing, bag work, pads and sparring. This is a great chance for both trainers to see what their team’s strengths are and also an opportunity for the fighters to spy on each other and start game planning.

After the first training session, Tony brings the fighters into the bracket room where the fighter board is. He explains there will be eight first matches, four quarter finals, two semis, and then the finale on February 25 at the brand new MGM theatre in Foxwoods, Conn. for the Contender Belt, big prize money and the chance to be the next Contender champion are on the line. Both teams are told they now must go back to their rooms and decide who will be the first fight; this is important because the winning team will have the power to choose who fights who next.

When asked who is ready, both team’s fighters all want to fight, especially Erick and Joell because their feud has already begun. Erick is fit and ready to go; he was training for a fight and pulled out last minute for his chance at greatness on the Contender so the timing for him to fight was perfect. The only thing was that the rest of his team didn’t feel it was about one person but about the team.

Everyone had heard Felix Cora Jr. had the goods and may be one of the strongest competitors on the Blue team. Felix accepted the fight, but the fight ahead was not the only thing on his mind. While he was staying away from home preparing to move into the loft, Hurricane Ike tore through his town destroying his family’s home, so he had a lot to worry about. When the teams are brought out in front of Tony and asked who is fighting from the Gold, Joell, as expected, steps forward. But the Blue team threw a spanner in the works and instead putting their stronger fighter Cora Jr. up to fight. This is an unexpected turn, but a great strategy from the Blue side.

Both fighters prepare for their fights by getting their hands wrapped and warming up for battle. Joell knows Felix is strong and will come forward; his plan is to box and not stand and trade, while Felix has to cut the ring off and apply pressure through the whole fight if he wants his hand raised at the end. Once the boys are in the ring there is nothing else to do but fight with all your heart if you want to continue to the next round.

Round 1. Joell starts the fight showing relaxed fast hands. He’s up on his toes and using good body movement and using the ring well. Felix is a big punching switch hitter changing from orthodox to southpaw, and throwing big punches, but too far away to land any telling blows.

Round 2. John Bray tells Felix he has to apply more pressure and work the body -- and that’s just what he does. Joell starts feeling Felix’s power he doesn’t like it. He is pressured on the ropes, not fighting back, letting Felix tee off on him.

Round 3. Tommy Brooks tells Joell he can’t afford to stay on the ropes and box from the centre of the ring, but sometimes it’s easier said then done. Joell uses his fast hands to try and keep Felix away, but punching fast doesn’t always carry much power. Felix walks straight through his attacks to put him back on the ropes again. Using body rips and upper cuts Felix is taking control and winning comfortably. Felix is having better success landing his shot as a southpaw and now stands right hand forward, head near Joell’s chest, pounding away till the bell.

Round 4. Joell is now frustrated and it’s starting to show in his performance. He is backing up and not fighting back. Felix is growing in confidence and can almost taste the win. His game plan is simple by applying the pressure on the ropes and working the body, but Joell has no answer.

Round 5. Tommy tells Joell the only way he is going to win is by KO, but Joell looks tired and lacks the power to finish the fight in one punch. Felix has great head movement, and whenever Joell throws punches, Felix slips and moves straight back in to apply more work to the body to finish the round.

After the bell rings, everyone knows who has won and it's a matter of waiting for the judge’s score cards: 49-46, 50-45, 50-45. All three judges award the fight to Felix Cora Jr.

Felix is happy he is one step closer to his dream while a disappointed Joell is frustrated he did everything he wasn’t supposed to do. That was Joell’s first loss in 10 fights. He learned a very important lesson during this fight and promises to be back stronger then ever.