Gold Team Evens It Up
By Angel “Big Papo” Mercado

After seeing one of the best fights in Contender history, between Vega and AK, the tables are now turned.  The Gold Team can now pick and fight the guys they think are the weakest links in the Blue Team and pick them apart using the power of choice in their advantage.

The weight of all the pressure now lies on the Blue Team.  Their in a state of shock now! Who will be the fighter from the Blue Team to get the next “w” and the advantage back for them?  Or will the Gold Team even the score and go full speed ahead not giving up their advantage and the ability to play matchmaker.

Back in the Gold Teams war room, they were very comfortable with the upper hand going into the next fight and planning out there next opponent.  The choices were Ryan Coyne, because of the stunt with Hino’s headband; Mike Alexander because he drops his hands a lot; and Richard Gingras which the Gold Team thought of him as being a s not being a threat because he only had a left hook and jab.

We also had a fight preview for the 2nd fight in the second round where AK decided to go up against Alfredo in the tournaments bracket room.  The 2 fighters had some heated exchanges and almost came to blows at one point.  Fans, who do you, choose to win this fight?  So far with what I’ve seen of the 2 fighters, I got to go with AK-47 in that fight.

The match I thought I was going to see for episode 4 was Hino vs. Ryan, but Hino said he wanted no excuses about Ryan’s cut being a factor in the fight, so he will wait to Ryan’s fully heals before calling him out.

What we had instead was the Gold Team going with their teammate Deon Elam (9-0-0 5KOs) who called out Richard Gingras (9-0-0 4KOs).  With both fighters’ almost identical records, someone was going to lose their undefeated status.  Deon’s game plan was to use his height and reach and figh from the outside, keep it basic.  Richard’s game plan was to come forward with an aggressive style and not stop a lot of head movement and making the investment to the body.

At the opening bell Deon dominated the round picking his shots fighting from the outside landing crisp jabs, uppercuts and right hands, which carried into the 2nd round.  Deon was so accurate with his punches he opened a cut on Richard’s left eye early in round 2.  Rounds 3 and 4, Richard was able to get in closer and close the gap which he was able to get some of his shots off.  Richard hit him with pretty much everything he had with bad intentions, but Deon wasn’t going anywhere.  You could have given Richard a baseball bat and he still wasn’t going to KO Deon.

Round 5, both fighters came out swinging, Richard being aggressive and throwing everything, but Deon making him pay for his aggression and hurting him towards the end of the round. It wasn't easy but Deon wins by unanimous decision and moves on to 10-0 and retains his undefeated record.

What do you think fans?  Do you see Deon Elam going all the way?  With this win from the Gold Team, they are now even with the Blue Team.  Which team will take the lead next week?  Who will be next to hang up the gloves?