Ross “The Boss” Becomes Champion
By Angel “Big Papo” Mercado

This was it! The moment of truth!  For who would become the Contender Champion on the big stage of the MGM Grand in Foxwoods? Boy did hands fly in the undercard and main event.  And fans had a chance to get in on the action with the Versus Online Scorecard!  What a Night!

In the undercard, Rico Hoye (23-3 15KOs) vs. AK-47 (12-2 6KOs).  In the opening round I thought Rico started to fight the wrong kind of fight, fighting inside with AK and not keeping AK at the end of his jab.  He should have been boxing from the outside.  At one point in the round, AK even rocked Rico.

AK did a good job of staying in Rico’s chest, but slowed down his punch output when it looked like he got hurt with a body shot in the 3rd round.  Rico took the fight from rounds 2-8 still fighting AK-47 type of fight, but winning all the exchanges picking AK-47 apart.

By the end of the fight, AK needed a knockout to win, falling way behind in the fight even losing a point for holding, which I don’t’ think should have happened.  This was a great fight, but Rico dominates AK-47 to win the Bronze.

In the main event, between Troy Ross (20-1 14KOs) and Hino Ehikahmenor (15-3 7KOs), I wasn’t expecting an early knockout.  I thought this fight was going to be decided in the later rounds by KO or decision.  Both fighters came out in the 1st round feeling each other out, but I had Hino landing better shots to take round one.  Rounds 2 and 3 were the toughest to score in the whole tournament.  Both Hino and Troy were swinging for the fences, firing back as they were hit.

This fight was straight up brawling after the first round, but in round 4, Troy Ross closes the fight with a TKO 2 minutes into round 4.  Making him the Season 4 Contender Champion!  Hino fought strong and did what he can do, but made the mistake of backing into the ropes against the powerful, Troy Ross.  Troy landed some great shots that forced Hino to the corner ropes and lunged over with his back turned not firing back to force the referee to stop the fight. 

Troy Ross score’s his 3rd knockout of the tournament out of his 4 fights.  Troy the Boss shines with this opportunity as Contender Champion and can now move on and get the fights he wants and deserves.  Congratulations to Troy “The Boss” Ross, our new Contender Champion!