EPISODE 1

In the fourth season of The Contender”, 16 of the world’s best cruiserweight boxers answered the call and flew across the globe to the island nation of Singapore, to fight, in hope of being the next Contender Champion.

The 16 boxers stepped into the Contender Training Gym for the very first time meeting with host Tony Danza and trainers Tommy Brooks and John Bray. The fighters were welcomed to their new gym and to Singapore, their new home.  In his address, Tony let the fighters in on his little known past: he was once a professional boxer, but ended up down a different path.  Tony then introduced the two trainers.  Training the Gold Team is Tommy Brooks, one of the biggest names in boxing.  He’s trained Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield as well as the Blue Team’s trainer, John Bray.  John was himself a former Heavyweight contender.  Now, as a trainer, John faces Tommy as a student challenging his former teacher.

After the introductions, Tony sent the boxers to their loft and instructed them to find a bag of training gear with their name on it.   Those with blue gear are on the Blue Team, while those with yellow gear are on the Gold Team.

With the teams now in place, the fighters split up to go to their respective rooms. As the fighters unpacked their belongings and put up pictures on the wall, in the Blue Team’s room, Richard Gringas (8-1-0, 4 KO’s) shared photos from his kids with Lawrence Tauasa (30-5-1, 17 KO’s) and reveals how much he’s missing his kids.

While Joell Godfrey (9-0-1, 5 KO’s) of the Gold Team played pool, Erick Vega (8-2-1, 6 KO’s) came by and started ruffling Joell’s feathers.  Making fun of Joell’s unusual straight high ponytail and pool skills, Erick teased, “ Use your hair to guide you in the right direction” and continued to poke fun.  Joell fired back, “Oh you want to fight first don’t you?”  You’re the weakest link. I’m gonna put my goons (fists) on you.”  Thus sparking the start of a rivalry that would continue to play out for the rest of the day.

With Tony overseeing and Tommy and John coaching, the first day of training kicked off with a flurry of activity. The gold punchers on the blue team while the boxers are on the gold team. It’s an even playing ground and everyone is fair play.

Jon Schneider (7-2-1, 5 KO’s) observes Troy Ross (17-1-0, 12 KO’s) during training and looks to learn from the more experienced boxers in this tournament.

Tim Flamos (20-4-1, 8 KO’s), 41 years old, the oldest contestant on the Contender so far, has a moment with Tony being the two “old-timers” in the Tournament. He reveals that Taxi was his favorite show as a kid and being here with Tony almost feels like he knows him already. Tony had likened him to Rocky Marciano, but fighting at his age will be a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, with the confrontation still fresh in his mind, Erick made no bones about scoping Joell out. He overhears Tommy Brooks telling Joell his fighting flaw, which Erick sees as an opening. Joell too is on the warpath and sees Erick as his first fight. The tension in the gym between these two can be cut with a knife. It was certainly no coincidence that when it came time to choose a sparring partner, Erick asked to fight someone tall like Joell.

Back in the loft, Texas native Felix Cora (18-2-2, 9 KO’s) who has already established himself as the loner in the group makes a call home. Since he started in the tournament, his hometown of Galveston, Texas was devastated by a hurricane leaving his family homeless and their future grim. His father tells him that his family is now relying on him to make a better tomorrow. There is a lot on his shoulders but Felix remains positive and even more determined then ever.

Tony brings the groups together in the loft and explains how the tournament will work using the bracket board, which will track the fighter’s progress through this tournament…from the first round, all the way to the Contender Championship.

In deliberation, Alfredo Escalera (15-1-1, 11 KO’s), Felix Cora and Erick Vega make a bid to fight first. Erick is more adamant then the others only to have John Bray step in to remind them that this is a competition and not a grudge match, the ego shouldn’t get in the way. Meanwhile, in the gold room, Joell is the only one that offers to fight first. Everyone else seconds that decision.

At the call out, the blue team makes the logical decision to let their strongest fighter go first and send Felix Cora forward to face Joell Godfrey, much to the surprise and dismay of the gold team.

The first fight of the fourth Contender Tournament pitted the Blue Team’s Felix Cora against the Gold Team’s Joell Godfrey. Looking confident, Felix started out his corner ready to kill and quickly establish dominance.  Joell felt the pressure early but maintained his own and fired his jab to make for a close first round. He kept up the pressure in the second round, however, started lay on the ropes, allowing Felix to take advantage of the situation.  Taking the aggressive stance, Felix threw Joell off his game plan and kept Joell on the offensive. With Joell’s back against the ropes for the remainder of the fight, Felix threw numerous power punching combos, each one weakening Joell’s defense and confidence more and more.  In the end, the judges unanimously gave the fight to Felix, making him the first winner of the tournament and giving the Blue Team, power to choose the next fight.

Joell’s parting words as he hung up his glove and walked out the door…”I’ll be back”. 15 fighters left. Who will be the next Contender?