Episode 4
Coming off the exciting Erick Vega vs. AK Laleye fight, the Gold Team has the power of choice for the first time. The mood in the loft has changed drastically, as the Gold Team celebrates their first victory in the tournament. They then get right down to business in discussing who their first target should be. Deon makes it clear he wants to fight, eying either Richard Gingras or Mike Alexander. AK, however, suggests that they should go after the “bleeding lamb”, Ryan Coyne because of the disrespect he’d shown Hino during training the day before.
The next morning, John Bray confronts Darnell Wilson about his weight. Feeling Darnell looked out of shape, he weighs him in and discovers his instincts were right. Darnell is ten pounds over the weight limit: “He’s going to have problems if he gets called out”, John explains. Darnell keeps a positive attitude on the issue and focuses on getting his weight down as soon as possible.
At training, Tommy Brooks acknowledges Deon Elam’s hard work and determination since the start of the competition, and admires Deon’s focus on winning the entire tournament. Deon, meanwhile, continues to observe the weaknesses he sees in both Richard Gingras and Mike Alexander, and he’s further convinced they’ll be easy fights for him. Meanwhile, Rich impresses his trainer, John Bray, by utilizing his new “secret weapon”, the right hook. Rich knocks down his sparring partner with his ferocious blows, and professes that although being inexperienced makes him the underdog, his heart will take him a long way. Later, Troy Ross notices that “the ding-a-ling man” Darnell Wilson seemed sluggish and out of shape during sparring. Darnell notices the Gold Team eying him, and begins to get nervous about being called out too soon. As training wraps up, Hino Ehikamenor stares down Ryan, and makes it very clear he has not forgotten about the disrespect Ryan had shown him. “He’s not a Contender, he’s a Pretender”, Hino states, “Ryan’s definitely put a target on himself.”
When Tony assembles the teams in front of the bracket board, AK is honored for his impressive victory the night before, and is called up to select his place in the 2nd round. AK chooses the 2nd fight vs. Alfredo Escalera. When asked by host Tony Danza why he chose Alfredo, AK says he knows Alfredo’s missing his family, therefore, he wants to send him home “as soon as possible”. Alfredo, unpleased with AK’s remarks, begins making fun of AK in retaliation. AK doesn’t back down and the two nearly come to blows in the living room. “Alfredo doesn’t belong in this tournament, and I’ll make sure he leaves ASAP!” predicts AK.
When asked who should fight during deliberation, Troy Ross immediately shows his support for Deon Elam, stating that Deon’s size and strength will surely allow him to advance and keep power on the Gold Team. Hino agrees with Troy, and confesses he doesn’t want a cheap victory fighting an injured Ryan Coyne just yet. Deon is happy with his team’s support, and reiterates his original plan of going after either Richard Gingras or Mike Alexander.
At the Callout, the fighters line up in the Contender gymnasium. As Tony Danza asks the fighter representing the Gold Team to step forward, Deon toes the line and calls out the smaller Richard Gingras. Richard immediately professes he will test Deon’s heart in the fight, and make his family proud: “I’m going to be a hard guy to beat.” Deon feels his height and reach advantage will make the fight an easy one for him.
In the locker room before the fight, Richard admits that being the underdog takes the pressure off his shoulders. Furthermore, Richard confesses that he does this all for his children, and they motivate him to fight his heart out. In the Gold locker room, Tommy Brooks reminds Deon that this tournament is a dream opportunity. Deon then admits everything he does is for his mom, and that his drive to do well in the tournament is to better her life.
The first round begins with each fighter not holding anything back. The fighters establish from the first round that it will be an all-out brawl, with a flurry of exchanges. Deon hurts Richard first, by catching him with multiple hooks. In the second round, Deon continues imposing his will on Richard, cutting him just below the eye. The cut doesn’t slow Richard down one bit, as he comes back with a ferocious uppercut, stunning Deon along with the entire arena to close out the exciting 2nd round. The fight is back and forth leading up to the fifth and final round. Deon begins shaky, getting caught by a right hook from Richard, however, he finishes the fight with impressive combinations to hurt Richard leading up to the final bell, putting an exclamation point on one of the most exciting fights of the season. Although the scores were close, the judges unanimously give the decision to Deon Elam, and the power of choice is kept with the Gold Team. Deon is overwhelmed with happiness to have made it to the 2nd round, but admits that he was surprised with how tough the fight was: “Richard came out like a bull, and I take my hat off to him.”
Richard makes his way back to the locker room, heartbroken with how close the fight was. “My lack of experience cost me this fight” he declares. Tony Danza joins Richard in the locker room and admits he hates to see anybody losing a fight like that: “That was an amazing performance, Richard. Keep your head up.”
While wiping blood off his face, Richard states: “I hope I didn’t let too many people down, although I know my family will be proud of me no matter what, and that’s why I love them”. “I just have this desire to be great at something. I’ve grown tremendously in this tournament, and I’m going to show the world that I’m great. This isn’t the last you’ll see me.”
12 fighters remain... Who will be the next Contender?
