'The Contender' returns with a knock-out

Why is it that whenever I'm asked to list my favorite reality shows -- and it happens with some frequency -- I forget to mention The Contender?

Mark Burnett's bastard unscripted step-child, shuffled from NBC to ESPN after one low-rated season, now back for a second ESPN run, had its real premiere on Tuesday (Sept. 11). Yeah, there was a really stupid episode last week that involved Sugar Ray Leonard trying to read cue cards and narrowing down the contestant field with the use of something called SPARQ, but this week the fighters actually got into the ring for the first time.

[Spoilers to follow.]

As I've said many times before The Contender appeals to me in many of the same ways I imagine the Death Race must have appealed to auto racing fans in Roger Corman's not-quite-realized 2000. You spend a lot of time getting to know a group of mid-level pugilists (this season focuses on super-middleweights). You get to root for some and hate others and then they go into the ring and beat each other to a pulp for your approval. In the show's NBC season, Burnett tried to work his heart-warming magic by showcasing the fighters' families, by letting us spend time with their long-suffering wives, their terrified children, their impoverished parents. That's mostly been eliminated for the ESPN run, along with the ridiculously bad challenges and Sylvester Stallone.

Tuesday's fight was pretty awful as boxing goes, sloppy and strategically flawed, but it featured a knock-out, as Jaidon Codrington (above) sent previously undefeated Brian Vera to the mat early in the second round and then forced a stoppage with a second knock-down soon after. I've always felt that part of the show's difficulty finding a mainstream audience was the lack of knockdowns and straight-up KOs, which probably led to this season's higher weight class.

The brief war between Jaidon and Brian wasn't good in the ring -- Brian was needlessly aggressive and he got wobbly the first time Jaidon landed a straight left -- but it showcased what The Contender does best. It told a story. Jaidon, you see, beat Brian when they were both amateurs, a fight that Brian claimed was lucky. Max Alexander, one of the season's early favorites, overhead Brian saying he'd like to get revenge on Jaidon and like an unholy blend of Iago and Bert Sugar, he goaded both men into making the fight happen, figuring that if two strong contenders went head-to-head in week one, his own road would be easier.

"I was really amused by how it escalated so fast," Max said, before comparing the trash-talking Jaidon to "Al Cappuccino."

Max got the fight he wanted and Jaidon got to reaffirm his status (he reminds me a bit of last season's Cornelius "K9" Bundrage, only I don't hate him yet) and Brian? Well, Brian got to give the obligatory losing speech about how he really beat himself.

Other thoughts on this week's episode:

Which was more embarrassing for Oscar De La Hoya: that the star of The Next Great Champ had to go groveling on the reality boxing show that outlasted his, or that the still-semi-active De La Hoya got schooled on the jump-rope by Sugar Ray? Sugar Ray's brains may not be in perfect shape (he makes Adrianna Costa look like a gifted host), but he could probably beat most of this season's fighters.

As embarrassing as De La Hoya's cameo was, it was made even more embarrassing by the fact that he was there to promo a PPV bout that isn't happening. We heard over and over about how Contender vets Steve Forbes and Sergio Mora are fighting Golden Boy boxers Francisco Bojado and Kassim Ouma on Sept. 15. If only it were true. A ticker on the bottom of the screen let viewers know that due to an injury to Juan Manuel Marquez, the entire card was cancelled. Ooops.

We've barely seen anybody fight, but I already have favorites. I like aging Aussie Sam Soliman, whose ugly style and endurance took Winky Wright the distance a couple years back. I can also get behind Liverpool native Paul Smith and boxing autodidact David Banks.

So is anybody else watching The Contender? What'd you think of this week's fight? And any favorites yet?

Comments

Sugar Ray may be no Jeff Probst, but he is light years ahead of Adriana Costa when it comes to hosting. Let's not get crazy here. A lone mic stand would do a better job hosting that Adriana Costa...

Brandon | Sep 12, 2007 11:38:19 AM | #

---

Yes, we are watching the 3rd season. Enjoyable and we can't wait to see the full fights un-edited on ESPN 21st of Sept.

SMF

www.sergiomora.net/smf

:)

SMF | Sep 12, 2007 7:20:55 PM | #

---

i would have beaten any of these guys on the show, I understand you need a story but you also need talent look for me on the next tryouts

raymond charles | Sep 13, 2007 6:53:44 AM | #

---

Being a faithful female viewer of the Contender I must say that I was very impressed with the first fight. They both stood toe to toe with each other. Hey wonder if any women could ever try out for the show?

Linda Lewis

lindalew | Sep 13, 2007 2:18:51 PM | #

---

The contender is ill... jaidon the don is takin this seasons cup.

Nicky | Sep 14, 2007 12:36:12 PM | #

---

Quickly became a jaidon fan.....lots of energy ....WILL be watching the whole season.......

jocelyn | Sep 18, 2007 8:08:12 PM | #

---

I WANT TO KNOW OF ANY UPCOMING AUDITIONS FOR THE CONTENDER. IF ANY ONE KNOWS PLEASE SEND ME AN E-MAIL.

T.Vittatoe | Nov 27, 2007 7:15:56 PM | #

---

Post a comment

Name:
Email Address:	optional
URL:	optional
Comments: