The Contender Update, Part One: NBC has declined to pick up the show for a second season, so unless a cable network steps in, the series will be over following Tuesday’s finale. Fortunately for fifteen of the sixteen contestants (the sixteenth, Najai Turpin, took his own life earlier in the year), Mark Burnett’s reality show will play a major role in providing opportunities and furthering their pugilistic careers. Name recognition is vital in selling boxing, and any publicity generated over the past two and a half months is priceless.

The Contender Update, Part Two: After tonight’s episode, the million-dollar finale is set, and it will feature Peter Manfredo Jr. and Sergio Mora. The only fighter on the show to never have to “hang up his gloves” (think the snuffing of the torch on Survivor), Mora earned a unanimous seven-round decision over Jesse Brinkley to seal his chances at the grand prize, which, shall he win, he plans to use to buy his mother a house. The finale will air live from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 24.

The Contender Update, Part Three: On the undercard of the Manfredo/Mora finale will be three matches, chosen by viewers voting their “fan favorites”. The three fights will be streamed live at http://contender.yahoo.com/ on May 24, beginning at 1 PM Eastern Time/10 AM Pacific. The pairings are Brent Cooper vs. Ishe Smith, Anthony Bonsante vs. Jeff Fraza and Jimmy Lange vs. Tarick Salmaci.

lol Ishe VS Brent Cooper, what a mismatch.

undercards seem to be mismatches

ishe is fighting bonsante, and brent is fighting jeff fraza.

I would love to see another season of this reality show, but it is up to the producers or producers of another kind to pick up the next season. To let a thing like Najah be a factor in not pursuing another season is just silly. Najah took his life for other reasons. I think there is another reality boxing show called "The Next Great Champ" or something like that. I wonder what will come of that. Anyone have some updated information? Also, if there was another season, do any of you think previous fighters will be back? It is a probability since they kept bringing fighters back during this season.

next great champ is also cancelled

Here is the line-up
Jesse Brinkley 160 vs Alphonso Gomez 159.5
Jimmy Lange 159 vs Tarick Salmaci 160
Ishe Smith 158 vs Anthony Bonsante 159
Brent Cooper 156 vs Jeff Fraza 152

jesse vs alphonso should be a good fight

any one kno if they are gonna show any of them

jesse vs alphonso should be a good fight


that should be a war!


I think they want to end Bonsante's career, Ishe is going to murder AB in there, he has absolutely no shot against Ishe...man I feel sorry for Bonsante.

that should be a war!


I think they want to end Bonsante's career, Ishe is going to murder AB in there, he has absolutely no shot against Ishe...man I feel sorry for Bonsante.


Bonsante does hit hard but I agree with you. He has as much chance as Gatti does at beating PBF

that should be a war!


I think they want to end Bonsante's career, Ishe is going to murder AB in there, he has absolutely no shot against Ishe...man I feel sorry for Bonsante.

I have to see that fight. Ishe is going to tear him up, just like he wanted to.

after jesse koed bonsante i dont see him surviving against ishe.

but who knows. bonsante lost a 12rd decision to manfredo before
the contender began. he can compete at least. unlike brent cooper

ishe might outbox anthony, but i dont know if he can blow him out like jesse did... like soemone else said anthony did go the distance with peter, who i think is a bigger puncher than ishe...

ishe might outbox anthony, but i dont know if he can blow him out like jesse did... like soemone else said anthony did go the distance with peter, who i think is a bigger puncher than ishe...
im not so sure about manfredo being a bigger puncher but my
mom thinks so , so its probable. bonsante seems a big puncher but
without much skill. plus he doesnt handle right upper cuts well :D

it makes me sad that the two boxing-related shows are being cancelled after one season. its just another attest to boxing being such a cult sport. that's pretty ****ty. HBO needs to step in and get their people in on it, then we might actually see a quality product.putting stallone in was the first mistake of the contender, shouldve put atlas or someone in there,not stallone.you dont put a powdered his whole life actor who only acted like a boxer in a film..on a show as a host for boxers,true contenders.steve farhood would've been better than stallone,jesus.HE HAS A NOSEJOB FOR ****S SAKE, HAHA.


i think they need to take away the personal stuff and show more sparring, show more things of that nature. you know the people who tune into the show dont want to see what hes going through with his mom girlfriend or w/e (at least i dont)..i want to see how he trains, how he throws his combos, how he gets his shots off on a bag etc.

also if theres another boxing show, editing the fights like they did was a huge mistake,they need to show the fight regularly from different angles with replays.

having said all that ,i haven't watched The Contender or The Next great champ more than 1 or 2 times each,all that personal bull**** isnt my flavor of entertainment,. but tonight ill watch the finale.

Well said slipx! The emotional mumbojumbo is for survivor and other reality shows. These are real contender boxers trying to make a stand for the first time, keep an already prized boxing career alive, or a last stand at boxing before retirement. Stallone is a great actor despite what you might say, but I agree, what relevance or motivation can he bring since he was a boxer in a MOVIE!!! Sugar Ray was a good decision, but they should've brought a famour trainer or another famous boxer along for the ride. Maybe one of the main reasons this show or the great champ is being cancelled is that it didn't do as well as people say in the ratings. There could be a million reasons, but from my biased opinion, I enjoyed the show because it is boxing. Whether they throw in a few emotional ties and trash talk, it is an experience no boxer will ever go through-training around their competition. Hopefully the finale will be a turning point in some producers mind to create another season or a whole other boxing reality show with a different name under it. Stay tuned...

Here is the line-up
Jesse Brinkley 160 vs Alphonso Gomez 159.5
Jimmy Lange 159 vs Tarick Salmaci 160
Ishe Smith 158 vs Anthony Bonsante 159
Brent Cooper 156 vs Jeff Fraza 152
Where did you find that out?

But I'm stilled pissed how people voted more for Brent than Reid (who is an ezcellent boxer).

Where did you find that out?

But I'm stilled pissed how people voted more for Brent than Reid (who is an ezcellent boxer).
Their both from Tennesse and both suck

Reid may be ok

but Cooper lost to a Reggie Strickland and couldnt pull it off in the rematch..

Saddest story EVER

LOL!

Hey someone tell me why is it that brent has such a bad rep?

And whats the prize money for bronze and silver?

And whats the prize money for bronze and silver?


Brinkley vs Alfonso is for 200K

Cool glad these guys getting money. Man this unedited boxing is way better...if it was like this I bet they'd be having another season. That edited **** was cheesy as hell.

Man Jesse cuts easy.

Hey someone tell me why is it that brent has such a bad rep?

He lost to Reggie Strickland? Look that guy up on boxrec.com. He's like 66-250+.

Stallone reminds me of my grandpa with his hand movements.

Also, he should be doing the ring announcing. It'd be better than the chump they have in there right now.

He lost to Reggie Strickland? Look that guy up on boxrec.com. He's like 66-250+.
LOL!

His one of the special ones, one of the only ones to lose to Strickland..

Anybody notice how crappy those fights really were??

Now they can't edit them and they are boring as hell..

Anybody notice how crappy those fights really were??

Now they can't edit them and they are boring as hell..

I didn't think Ishe v Bonsante was boring. Ishe really just outclassed him. This one wasn't as good, though. Hopefully Manfredo v Mora will be good.

Manfredo is definitely a good fighter, though. I don't think he has what it takes to topple B-Hop right now, but he's good.

He lost to Reggie Strickland? Look that guy up on boxrec.com. He's like 66-250+.

Stallone reminds me of my grandpa with his hand movements.

Also, he should be doing the ring announcing. It'd be better than the chump they have in there right now.

Nevermind, I watched his fight on Yahoo with Jeff and man, you guys complain about Ruiz? Brent uses headlocks and even clinches the other guy around the knees like he's gonna throw him. Man he sucks.

Nevermind, I watched his fight on Yahoo with Jeff and man, you guys complain about Ruiz? Brent uses headlocks and even clinches the other guy around the knees like he's gonna throw him. Man he sucks.

That was Bonsante, wasn't it?

Anyhow, this announcer IS TERRIBLE! I hope he loses his voice forever.

Uh wtf up with this white rapper halftime show? Rather watch some hot ring girls.

Manfredo look gay ass hell with that dress he wearing. Sergio got a cool outfit.

Anyone know what 2nd place gets?

I'm guessing 500K since third place got 200K. They both won already not to mention they both have a car from the show.

Thats cool, glad both guys will still end the night a winner. Those two and Alfonso seem like genuine nice guys.

anyone wanna bet 10 million points?

I bet 10 million that Sergio will beat Manfredo

PM me to make it official

anyone wanna bet 10 million points?

I bet 10 million that Sergio will beat Manfredo

PM me to make it official

I bet you 30k pts Sergio wins.

Sergio quick dude...lol he got his hair done before the fight!

Damn this fight looking good!

Damn this fight looking good!
THEY FIGHTING@?@?@??@

WHAT CHANNEL!!!!

NBC channel 4 here

Rofl, peter hit sergio with a BRUTAL shot at the bell...AFTER the bell,really...sergio shouldve pulled a Luis Santana. best punch of the fight,he wont recover from that.

Is the main event happening already ??

Damn good fight so far, I think Sergio fighting the smarter fight. Peter hit Sergio late after the bell with a really good shot.

These guys both have heart.. It figures an Italian and a Mexican I wouldnt expect anything less.. Tito could have learned alot about heart from these guys!!

Heh Sergio talking **** alot it looks like.

These guys both have heart.. It figures an Italian and a Mexican I wouldnt expect anything less.. Tito could have learned alot about heart from these guys!!

Toastito could take lessons from these guys!

anyone wanna bet 10 million points?

I bet 10 million that Sergio will beat Manfredo

PM me to make it official

10M on Manfredo dude !....pm'd you already

What round is it???

Toastito could take lessons from these guys!
WHAT THE **** WHY AINT IT ON IN CALI!?? AHHHHHHhh

Sergio the kind of fighter pisses you off in the ring. I dont like how Joey pushes him into the ropes constantly. Thats gay.

PETER IS DOING JUST WHAT HE NEEDS TO BE DOING, GETTING THE BIGGER MAN AGAINST THE ROPES WAITING FOR HIM TO UNLOAD AND THEN HUGGING /GRABBING,SERGIO IS FINISHED,HES TIRED...GONNA ENJOY MY OLD SIG :p

WHAT THE **** WHY AINT IT ON IN CALI!?? AHHHHHHhh

Has to be on somewhere keep checking.

PETER IS DOING JUST WHAT HE NEEDS TO BE DOING, GETTING THE BIGGER MAN AGAINST THE ROPES WAITING FOR HIM TO UNLOAD AND THEN HUGGING /GRABBING,SERGIO IS FINISHED,HES TIRED...GONNA ENJOY MY OLD SIG :p

Yeah so dont complain about Ruiz anymore then!

Bulll**** !!! Ahhhhhhhh!!

Whos Winning What Round Hows It Going!?

Bulll**** !!! Ahhhhhhhh!!

Whos Winning What Round Hows It Going!?

Think 2 rds each, 5th round now. Peter doing a lot of hugging and smothering...think he been watching Ruiz tapes.

Sergio look like a barely stole the 5th with a flurry.

Think 2 rds each, 5th round now. Peter doing a lot of hugging and smothering...think he been watching Ruiz tapes.


What ?? How unprofessional...
I expected more from him

If it keeps up like this I could see it going either way if they split the last two rounds.

What ?? How unprofessional...
I expected more from him

Well its for 1 million bucks! Sergio strong in the 6th!

Sergio killing Peter in 6th!

Well its for 1 million bucks! Sergio strong in the 6th!


What's the latest ??

Well its for 1 million bucks! Sergio strong in the 6th!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sergio killing Peter in 6th!
YES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COME ON SERGIO WIN ME MY $30!!!!!111

Rds 1, 2 Sergio
Rds 3, 4 Peter
Rd 5 leans Sergio
Rd 6 Sergio

Sergio gonna win this if Manfredo cant KO him in 7th

Sergio gets nasty in the ring...he talked **** to Peter's corner in the middle of rd 6!

Come On Sergio Dont Leave This To The Judges!!

I gotta give it to Manfredo, he keeps his composure and takes good shots. But Sergio is stealing rounds and flurries a lot. Sergio slight lead for sure right now.

**** this is exciting ....

Come On Sergio!!!!!!!!!!

Rds 1, 2 Sergio
Rds 3, Peter
Rd 4 leans Sergio
Rd 5 Sergio
Rd 6 very close... go either way


Peter needs a KO or Sergio wins.

Who won???

Rds 1, 2 Sergio
Rds 3, Peter
Rd 4 leans Sergio
Rd 5 Sergio
Rd 6 very close... go either way


Peter needs a KO or Sergio wins.

Damn !!.........

Rds 1, 2 Sergio
Rds 3, Peter
Rd 4 leans Sergio
Rd 5 Sergio
Rd 6 very close... go either way


Peter needs a KO or Sergio wins.

Sergio is to slick for Manfredo..

Sergio is to hungry....

Damn !!.........
Come on Sergio make me my $30 and 10 million points!

Stupid commentators making it sound like 7th rd decides it but I dont think so, I think Sergio leading by one rd.

Manfredo doing alright this last round. Both very tired but throwing.

Sergio stealing the round looks like. Yeah Sergio taking it!

PEter needs a KO! 1 minute left!

Sergio stealing the round looks like. Yeah Sergio taking it!


I LOVE U SERGIO!

AHhhhhh !!!!!

Peter taking great shots from Sergio, keeps coming...gotta give it to him. But Sergio is winning.

SErgio almost KO Peter, Sergio won no doubt about it.

Peter taking great shots from Sergio, keeps coming...gotta give it to him. But Sergio is winning.


I guess its gonna be Viva Mexico ! then

SErgio almost KO Peter, Sergio won no doubt about it.
I love you for this round by round coverage!

bring on the $30 betting site and 10 million points thrilla!

Commentators not even waiting for judges before the commercial...already saying Sergio got the million.

Dude Sergio and Peter both let it all out.. If they were Boricua like Hector Camacho or Tito they would have *****ed out by now and ran back to PR!!

I love you for this round by round coverage!

bring on the $30 betting site and 10 million points thrilla!


On the way dude.... :cool: Congrats

Dude Sergio and Peter both let it all out.. If they were Boricua like Hector Camacho or Tito they would have *****ed out by now and ran back to PR!!

I agree, man this was a GREAT fight. Shame on the so called top contender pros when these two guys fight like castillo-corrales all 7 rds!

Commercial still...decision soon.

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

I"M SOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!

I JUST WON $30!!!!!!!

I won 80 off brewster and I bet $10 for the spurrs to beat suns tonite and $10 forDetroit to beat miami in the series

Any official decision yet ??

SERGIO new millionaire!

69-64
68-65
70-63

UD

SERGIO new millionaire!

69-64
68-65
70-63

UD


WOW !!!! :cool:

Sergio going to be a great fighter. His defense and ring movement is incredible. He just made me a fan.

Sergio going to be a great fighter. His defense and ring movement is incredible. He just made me a fan.
He just made me rich!

I am also a Sergio fan even though I didnt see the fight yet

but I told u, his way to slick

And he got a Tacoma truck and made the cover of Ring Magazine.

And he got a Tacoma truck and made the cover of Ring Magazine.

Is that actually going to be the next cover of Ring Magazine? I hope not cause there are three guys (Winky, Corrales, Castillo) who did some stuff in the last few weeks that I think probably deserve a cover themselves. In any event- I was pretty suprised that Cortez did not jump in there at the end of the seventh and stop the fight- Manfredo was taking some punishment.

Manfredo tired himself out way too fast. He needs to dump his dad, and get himself a real trainer. He's good, but he's going nowhere if he doesn't get a different trainer.