The Next Great Champ, Episode 5: Pros and Cons

Thanks to the great people behind the RNO curtain for letting me do this. I don't even know you, but you guys rock.

Previously on The Next Great Champ (which, for some reason, I keep wanting to call The Last Great Champ): 12 boxers. Oscar De La Hoya. Challenges. Training. Rankings. Losers. Winner's Circle. I think they're covering pretty much everything, since it's been a while since an episode has aired. Everyone hates Dave and PJ. The winner's circle now gets to choose one of the boxers. Fred and Griffin exchanged some words, and Fred left the house.

For some reason, they decide to replay Mince and Griffin's entire fight from the last episode. You know, slow motion doesn't really make it more dramatic. Especially since we've seen this before and we know what the outcome is. There's a gratuitous shot of the bikini model's… er, round card girl's chest. Her mother must be proud. During round 2, Griffin receives the helpful advice, "Otis, you gotta punch to win!" I'm sure he appreciated that. In round 3, Griffin appears to make a low blow, but the ref lets it go. In round 4, there's jabbing, bobbing, weaving, etc. Who will move on? Who will "lose his dream"? I'm on the edge of my seat.

The fight ends in a split decision, with two judges scoring in Mince's favor. Mince says he feels like he won; he was the aggressor and that's what matters. As we head to commercials, we learn that the winner of The Next Great Champ will win a WBO title, not just a chance at one. Though it wouldn't be the first time we've been lied to, so I'll believe it when I see it.

Oscar tells us that the ring is "frightening." Especially since, after you see it, you only have seven days to live. (That'll be my only Ring joke, I promise.) He says that, when you're a champion, you can control that fear and use it to your advantage. If you can't control the fear, it will control you. That's deep, Oscar.

Dave worries about Fred. Gil worries about his weight. On the roof, the boxers learn that they'll be handcuffed in the ring and will have to dodge combinations. Gil says that it's strange to be in handcuffs again. (If you'd forgotten that he's an ex-con, don't worry - they'll mention it a few more times.) He adds that prison showed him that he can't hurt people. When it's Luis' turn in the ring, Tommy seems gleeful to be putting cuffs on a cop. (If you'd forgotten that he's a cop/SWAT Team member, don't worry - they'll mention that a few more times, too.)

Back at home, everyone gathers as Tommy and Lou arrive to give them news about Fred. We flash back to the Fred/Griffin fight. Tommy has a tape that Fred made for the other boxers. On it, he announces that he doesn't want to stay on the show. He thinks he could win, but he doesn't want to steal someone else's dream. Uh huh. He claims that he doesn't regret his behavior. We see another flashback. Fred doesn't want to "compromise" anymore, so he's "retiring." He says something about wanting to set an example for kids out there. Everyone seems to agree that he's just making an excuse. As Dave sees it, he's now alone in the house. Tommy tells everyone that if they want to "turn little girl," they can go get their panties and leave. Heh.

It's competition time! Tommy announces that in this challenge, they'll be focusing on fear. There are two speed bags inside a big glass cube, which will be suspended over the roof of what I assume is their building. If one of the boxers screws up his rhythm, the floor under him will open and he'll drop through. You couldn't get me inside a suspended glass cube for $10,000. You couldn't get me in one for $10 million. Mohammad seems to agree; he was afraid of heights when he was a kid.

Gil and Luis are up first (heh, literally). Luis says he isn't scared, since heights are part of his job, but Gil is less confident. He interviews that he's trying to concentrate and picture himself back in the gym. The two get good rhythms going, but Luis falters and drops through the floor of the cube.

Mohammad and Mike are up next. Mike says that he wants the money, but he also kind of wants to fall, because he thinks he'll enjoy the rush. Mohammad's scared. Mike tries to psych him out by mentioning how high up they are. It works - Mohammad announces that he wants to come down. Tommy reminds him that if he does so, he won't get a second chance. Mohammad doesn't care and asks again to be let down. Tommy obliges.

Gil and Mike face off. Gil says that he and Mike could hear each other's rhythms while they were hitting the speed bags. Mike says that he was hitting in time with a song in his head. After what looks to be a close race, Gil falters and drops through the cube, leaving Mike the winner. Mike says that he's happy to have $10,000. Next up are rankings, but first, commercials.