Episode 3
After a 5-round, lopsided brawl with the Gold Team’s Jon Schneider, Alfredo Escalera Jr. wins the second fight of the Contender Tournament and keeps the “Power of Choice” with the Blue Team.
Back in the loft, the Gold Team broods over their loss. “The better man won,” says Rico Hoye. “Accept it. Be the better man next time.” Rico goes on to point out that the Blue Team is going after the weak, and when they pick someone, “they lookin’ at you as someone that they can beat, pick on, flat out.” This alarms Tim, who, at 41 years old, is the oldest of all the fighters. To boost everyone’s morale, Troy Ross reminds the team that they are still six fighters strong and the Blue Team has not broken their spirits. AK Laleye further rallies the team with fiery words of encouragement. He then states, “If I were to fight next, trust me, I will turn back the tide. The buck will stop there with me.”
The next morning, Coach Tommy Brooks takes the Gold Team out to the Glove Wall, where the gloves of fallen teammates Joell Godfrey and Jon Schneider hang on the wall in defeat. Perturbed, Tommy lights into the team, “It’s not rocket science. Just follow instructions!” he scolds. “If you’re not gonna step up to the plate, then tell somebody to get you a plane ticket and go the **** home!” Taking note, Tim explains that Tommy is one of the best trainers in the world. “It’s an advantage to listen to him,” he says. “It just seems like when guys get in there, they’re throwing the game plan out the window.” Continuing his rant, Tommy states, “I’ve been in your rooms, and last time I checked, I ain’t see no panties or no bras. Man up!”
At the start of training, Tommy hollers at former student, now coach of the Blue Team, John Bray. “Grasshopper! You did it again,” he exclaims. “But I didn’t teach you everything.” Laughing, John comments on the vibe in the gym. “It’s like a mixture of fear and victory,” he quips. “No fear here, baby,” Tommy replies. “Grasshopper’s up two fights. He’s snatched the pebble out of my hand twice,” says Tommy. “I have to close my hand off and Grasshopper’s gonna have to work a little bit harder to try and get it.”
As the teams train, Richard Gingras of the Blue Team eyes Tim. Richard notes that Tim is “a little older; he’s sluggish; he might be the weakest link.” Richard’s teammate Erick Vega, meanwhile, observes AK. “He’s a little smaller, and I’m used to fighting bigger guys… I’d break him down.” Feeling the heat, AK makes it known that while he is the “littlest guy… there is no vulnerability over here.”
Later, Ryan Coyne makes a bold statement when he shows up in the gym wearing a headband with Hino Ehikhamenor’s name printed on it. “I’m watching the Gold Team,” says Ryan. “The vultures are circling. So I decided to make a preemptive strike to let everyone know I wanna fight Hino.” Rankled and feeling disrespected, Hino questions Ryan’s move, considering he has a cut on his eye that’s still in the early stages of healing. “How dare he call me out when he know that would definitely be my target if we fight!” Carrying on with his taunting, Ryan explains, “With Hino, I see a guy who doesn’t rely on his right hand a whole lot. I’m already injured and I don’t want anyone jabbing me on the left side of my face.”
After training, Tony Danza assembles the teams in front of the Contender Bracket Board. He congratulates Alfredo and the Blue Team on their second consecutive win and gives Alfredo the choice of when he would like to fight in Round 2 of the tournament. Alfredo pauses to consider his options: There are four fights in the next round, with Felix Cora, considered a frontrunner in the tournament, slotted to fight in the first match. Choosing “a little more time to rest,” Alfredo slides his name into the bracket for the second match and avoids a fight against Felix, for now.
With his decision made, Tony reminds the teams that the Blue Team still has the Power of Choice to choose the next match and sends the teams off to their rooms for Deliberation.
In the Blue Team’s room, John addresses Ryan and the Gold Team about his disapproval of wearing headbands with other people’s names on it. “Stay humble,” he warns. Meanwhile, the Gold Team sits and waits. Tommy reminds the team, “I hate losing. Ain’t nothing fun about that.” Half joking, AK says he’s afraid Tommy might kill someone if they don’t win the next fight. Back in the other room, the Blue Team mulls over who will fight next. Erick and Richard both voice their readiness. “I’ve been ready to go in there since day one,” says Erick. “I’m ready to rock and roll.”
At Call Out, Tony asks the Blue Team who they’ve chosen to step forward and fight. Erick steps up to the mat, and with no hesitation, he calls out AK. It’s official: The third fight of the Contender Tournament will see Erick—a power-punching brawler—faces off against AK—a skilled boxer and showman who’s energetic and quick on his feet. “Styles make fights,” says John. “We’re gonna see a very entertaining boxing match. It’s the boxer versus the slugger.”
At the fight, AK displays his killer instincts and slick moves. Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, AK bounces around the ring and fires quick jabs. Shouting at Erick from the corner, John tells Erick to go after the body and wear AK down. Despite looking slow and feeling frustrated, Erick ignores John’s game plan. He chases after AK, hunting for his head and looking for opportunities to knock AK out.
Erick takes heed to John’s advice in the third round and makes a comeback. Finally getting his punches off, Erick throws several combinations to AK’s body and head. Thrown by Erick’s approach, AK pulls out a dirty trick he’s used in fights in the past and gets Erick in a clinch to then pull his trunks down.
Erick’s lack of stamina gets the best of him in the fourth round, but in the fifth and final round, he comes out of the corner swinging. Down at least 3 rounds, with only one more round to go, Erick needs a knockout. He throws a powerful combo that stuns AK and sends him reeling into the ropes. With the crowd going wild, AK tries to recover and survive the round. Just when it looks like the end for him, out of nowhere, AK swings at Erick with a deadly punch that sends Erick falling backwards against the ropes. With both fighters now punch drunk, AK and Erick stagger around the ring in a daze. The crowd goes mad. Amazingly, both fighters manage to stay on their feet till the very end.
When the judges’ scorecards are announced, it’s unanimous—“All for the winner… Akinyeme “AK” Laleye!!!”
Afterwards, Erick sulks in defeat over a fight he believes he could have won. Though he fought hard and came close, he sees no reason why he should have lost. Re-evaluating his boxing career, Erick reaches the brink of tears as he explains; “this is the end for me, as far as boxing goes… Sorry if I let anyone down. Sorry to disappoint… I tried my best…time to move on.”
13 fighters remain…who will be the Contender?
