By Angel “Big Papo” Mercado
January 29, 2009

The quarter finals are here moving into the second round of fights with some great match-ups.  It’s every man for themselves holding nothing back, it’s all or nothing. Eight fighters left, who will survive.

Back at the loft, after the last fight of round one of the tournament, the mood of the Gold team was that they were sad to see Tim go out the way he went out.  Everyone from the Gold team, to contender bloggers, the crowd, and even myself thought Tim won that fight.  The frustration of the fight carried over to the loft in the Gold team’s room. Where AK took the lost the hardest and very personal which caused some heated words towards Troy Ross for a comment AK was not comfortable with.  It’s a reality check going forward in this competition.  Don’t leave anything to the judges either, win decisively or keep busy enough to score towards a KO.

Back at the tournament bracket room, Rico and Ryan slide their names in the final slots left in the second round.  By default, they will face each other.  Ryan experiencing a deep cut, which is too deep, too long and not enough time to heal for this next fight.  Ryan has to evaluate his situation.  What do you think fans?  What would you do?  I say go for it!

Go one more fight.  If Ryan decides to pull out because of the cut, then the Contender should bring Tim Flamos back to go up against Rico Hoye for the final slot in the 2nd round.  This situation happened in the first season of Contender with Peter Manfredo.

As a reward for the fighters who made it to the 2nd round, Tony Danza took all 8 fighters out to view the sights of Singapore and relieve a lot of their stress.  Danza and the fighters also enjoyed a dinner at Mimolette Restaurant. 

Tony shared a great story with the gentlemen about how he got his break at the early stage of his boxing career.  Danza would not have been braking bread with these Contenders at that moment, if he did not come back in a fight and beat the fighter who knock him down twice before Danza came back to knock the fighter out.  The producers of “TAXI” came out to see him train and ask if they can see his next fight.  Witnessing this comeback landed him a role on the famous TV show “TAXI”.

Contender’s Troy and Felix expressed how they felt about all the fighters in the room, the connection and respect they now have for one another.  The bond and the friendship.  As the fighters returned back to the loft, they were excited to find pictures hanged up of their moments in the competition.  As they went to their room, they also found an envelope on their pillows from their family back at home.  The fighters received touching letters and pictures.  Rico found out he was having his first baby boy.

Felix Cora received a letter stating he lost his job.  This is a lot of added pressure for Felix going into his fight.  He lost his home to a bad hurricain, lost his job and now pressure of fighting one of the toughest fighters in the tournament, Troy Ross.  A lot of pressure and sacrifice for a fighter to take with him into the ring.

Felix Cora Jr (19-2-2 9KOs) vs. Troy Ross (18-1-0 12KOs)

Felix’s game plan was to make no mistakes or it could be a short night.  Fight a perfect fight to beat Troy.  Troy’s game plan was to build on points and let Felix run into something. With this fight, Troy said he only has one shot at this or it was going to be over going up against Felix Cora Jr.

Opening Round: Felix and Troy came out very cautious feeling each other out with their jabs pin pointing each shot until Felix Cora ran into a shot and fell victim to Troy Ross’ vicious left hook,  That dropped Felix to the canvas and out of the competition.

Troy Ross beat the man to beat in Felix Cora and also is the only fighter to this point with the only knockouts of the competition.  Troy is the man to beat.  My prediction is Troy makes it to the finals.  Share your thoughts, you think Troy Ross will go all the way?  Who do you think has a good shot in stopping him?

Felix Cora, you are a good dude and a great fighter, we know you’ll be back. Keep Ya head up!!! We wish you all the best.

Next fight is AK vs. Alfredo, who wins this one, what are your predictions?