Episode 5
It’s the fighter from the Gold Team, Deon Elam who raises his hands in victory over Richard Gingras.  It’s all tied up with 2 wins apiece, and the Gold Team, once again, has the power of choice.

Back in the loft, the Gold Team enters in a not-so-celebratory mood. They realize that there are no easy fights in this tournament…  “Deon did what he needed to do to survive,” says Rico.  “If Richard had thrown straight shots, he would have won.”  Meanwhile, in the Blue Team’s room, Lawrence asks Mike if he is OK. Mike says "We lost again. I'm a little uptight." Ryan says, "It sucks not to not have the power of choice", he also feels like a target.
 
Deon is welcomed back to the loft with congratulations all around from his teammates. Deon says “Be careful what you ask for, but a win is a win. It’s all yours now baby…”

In the morning, John Bray catches Darnell eating pancakes.  “He’s not supposed to eat that kind of stuff because of his weight,” says John.   Darnell says he’s a fat boy and eats only tomatoes.  As soon John is gone, Darnell can’t resist eating two slices of pizza.

During training, Troy says that Hino is their man for that will represent the Gold team in the next fight. Troy “He’s ready to go.” Hino works with Tommy Brooks on the heavy bag and sparring. Hino says “He loves boxing and only good things have happened to him since he’s been boxing.”

Ryan gets in the ring for the first time since his stitches came out. Not looking too good in sparring, Hino & AK eye him. AK says “We’ll let Hino take out Ryan, that will be the next match up.”

Lawrence and Darnell talk about the Ryan & Hino match up. Lawrence says “Ryan’s made it clear but if Hino switches to someone else…” Darnell says it could be him but doesn’t think Hino could be that stupid as to call him out. Tommy checks out Darnell and tells Hino “That’s the fight for you.” Pointing out some flaws he sees. Hino thinks that would be more of a challenge to step to Darnell as opposed to the injured Ryan.
Darnel feeling vulnerable because of his weight and the blue teams second lose in a row, he yells “There's gonna be a knockout in this bitch!” Hino laughs at DW and says “We’ll see about that.” DW says “Whoever steps up, they are gonna get knocked out…I don’t respect anyone’s power on the other team and they can’t hurt me because my chin is granite…If you’ve got the balls, step up.”

Tony assembles both teams in front of the Contender Bracket Board for Bracketology.  Tony congratulates Deon and brings him up to chose where he will position himself in the second round. Deon chooses the 3rd fight, his reasons being he injured his hand and will need the extra time to heal and train. Rico says “I don’t think that was a wise choice, he could get any one of us that advance and it’s gonna be a tough fight.”
Tony emphasizes to the teams that they need to listen to their trainers and that even though they might win the fight, they are not doing what they are supposed to do. Tony sends them to their rooms for deliberation.
During Deliberation, John Bray "Who do you think they are going to pick?" Alfredo "Ryan." Ryan says “I’ve put Hino in a position where he has to call me.” Darnell "I hope that its me. I come here to win. I made a little bit of noise, ruffle a few feathers."
Meanwhile, in the Gold room Tommy “Deon won for us…so, who is it?” Hino raises his hand. Tommy “Is he ready?” The whole team agrees. Tommy say Hino has to listen…”Who are you gonna fight?”  Hino replies “Ryan or Darnell.” AK “With Darnell you can’t get too brave.” Tommy “Ryan doesn’t have any defense.” In a bite Rico says “If Hino chooses Ryan it will be easy, but he’s the one that’s gonna fight, so it’s in Hino’s hands.”
At the Call Out, Tony asks the Gold Team who is gonna step up for the them and Hino tows the line and calls out Darnel. In an interview, Darnell says “I have a new mission, to knock out Hino."

The morning of the weigh in, Darnell jumps on the scale and he’s overweight! With less than 10 hours before the fight Darnell dawns the sauna suit…shadow boxing and then hopping on the treadmill. Hino watches and says “Darnell is killing himself and he isn’t even working on his boxing skills only worried about his weight and it will show in the fight.” At the official weigh-in Hino gets on the scale and weighs in at a cool 197lbs… Darnell is asked to get on the scale. A concerned Darnell hops on and with some high drama the scale reads…200lbs for the Ding-A-Ling Man. Relief.

In the fifth fight of the Contender Tournament, Hino comes in looking fresh as a daisy while Darnell is visibly tired but still an opposing figure. The first round begins with the two fighters feeling each other out. Darnell shows that he can be a boxer and not just a slugger…choosing his shots wisely he works the jab and seems to be following he and John’s game plan. Hino’s crafty and slick style is proving to be a bit of a challenge for Darnell, slipping, dodging and even shaking off Darnell’s heavy hands touching him in the face. On a heavy exchange between the guys Darnell slips and his hands touch the canvas…referee Jack Reese calls it a knock down and gives him an eight count. Darnell finishes the round frustrated, feeling the knock down was only a slip.
The second round shows off Hino’s focus and drive and he frustrates Darnell even more with his moves and constant jabs to the face. Another slip by Darnell is called as such and the two continue on the quest for victory. During the third round Darnell is clearly outmatched by Hino and begins to look for a knock out shot to finish Hino which doesn’t seem to be coming. In the fourth and fifth rounds Darnell is visibly fatigued and has dropped his hands only looking for a knock out. Hino dances and plays to the crowd, winking and smiling. Ding…Ding…Ding.

At the end of the fight, clearly emotional, Hino drops to his knees in the corner and has his gloves covering his face. Darnell points to Hino while nodding his head…he knows Hino has outscored him. The results of the judges’ scorecards, it’s unanimous—“All for the winner… from Nigeria, Africa, Ehinomen 'Hino' Ehikhamenor!!!”

After the fight, Darnell talks about his disappointment in himself and letting his fans down. “They know what I can do…” He realizes he shouldn’t have come into a competition like this ill-prepared. Clearly his weight was a factor and caused him fatigue physically and mentally. His career is not over, he has come back from losses before the old school way and he will do it again. With the long plane ride home in front of him, he is proud to have been a part of this tournament and the contender family. He has no one to blame but himself.
Darnell hangs up his gloves and leaves the contender tournament.
11 fighters remain…who will be the next Contender?