The Contender, Episode 9: Round Two

Previously:

After beating Tarick, Juan felt his injuries would prevent him from boxing to his full ability, and left the tournament.
• Joey from the West defied the odds and beat a more experienced Jimmy.
• The seven finalists headed to Las Vegas to visit Caesars Palace: the site of the final million-dollar fight.
• By luck of the draw, Sergio won a new truck.
• A vote was cast to bring back one of the previously eliminated contenders to take Juan’s place.
• I unveiled preliminary details on forthcoming Contender fan-favorite bouts.

In a luxuriously appointed room in the hotel, Sly and Sugar Ray prepare to reveal the votes to determine who will be coming back to join the remaining seven contenders in round two.

A vote for Ahmed. A vote for Jimmy. Ahmed. Jimmy (though the handwriting here is so horrible that it’s hard to make out). Another vote for Ahmed. Ishe is now suspicious, and Jesse tries hard to suppress a smile that is trying to form on his lips. Next vote: Ahmed. With four votes, Ahmed will be returning to the competition!

Sergio expresses concern over Ahmed’s return, and Sly calls the choice “interesting.” But there is little time to ponder what this means, as the contenders must fly back to Los Angeles to continue the tournament. Sugar Ray, sounding unrehearsed for a change, tells us that now that the competitors are so much closer to the million dollars, they will have to try even harder to stay composed and “not get taken out of their game plan.” He says whoever wins will make a huge statement to the world.

As they return to the gym, the contenders notice that the old blue and yellow East/West banners that once adorned the gym have been replaced with new banners, all the same color. Their loft has also been redecorated with photos of the seven remaining contenders taken over the course of the tournament.

It doesn’t take long for the fighters to get back to their plotting. Jesse, Peter, Joey, and Anthony are fed up with Ishe’s disrespectful attitude. At the same time, they all feel that Ishe stands a good chance to win the tournament if he isn’t derailed quickly—hence the decision to bring back his old nemesis, Ahmed. “We brought him back so Ahmed could get under Ishe’s skin,” Anthony tells us.

In the kitchen, Peter and Jesse both rest their Vegas-weary bones in a chair. Ishe walks in, and thinks the duo have something to say to him. Peter brushes it off, but after some prodding from Ishe, he admits that Ishe’s behavior has becoming irritating. Peter points out that at several press conferences, Ishe has accused his fellow contenders of only having fought “bums.” Jesse offers a challenge to Ishe, saying that if he’s such a bad boxer, then Ishe should challenge him in the ring. “That’s the way I feel, that’s my opinion! I don’t have to respect his record! He doesn’t have to respect my ranking!” says Ishe.

Sergio notes that everyone is ganging up on Ishe because they know he’s the strongest competitor. Alfonso escorts Jesse out of the area before the encounter escalates. “It’s every man for himself,” says Jesse, “but the four of us are gunning to get Ishe out.”

The following morning, Ahmed returns to the gym wearing a t-shirt on which he has had printed, “CHAMPION OF CONTENDER.” He grabs his gloves off the wall and chucks them into the middle of the gym, telling us that because he has returned to the tournament, that makes him the real winner, even though he lost to Ishe. “Champion is back, baby!” he shouts as Peter welcomes him.

Ishe says that he has mixed emotions about his rival’s return. He gives him credit for going out like a fighter, and thinks he deserves to return, but acknowledges that their personalities clash. Still, he claims that he’s fine with Ahmed’s return. As am I, for Ahmed is highly entertaining, and even now will not stop shouting, “Champion is back, baby!” to everyone he sees.

Sergio can’t comprehend why Ahmed was voted back in. “Why would they bring back a crazy, good [or possibly crazy-good] fighter. It makes no sense,” he confesses.

Shortly, Sugar Ray arrives and informs the crew that it is time for another challenge (apparently now being referred to as the “Choice Challenge”). He tells them that there are no longer any teams, and the challenge will be an individual contest. The winner will get the sole right to determine the next fight, by either selecting his own opponent or playing matchmaker for two fellow contenders. I agree with Ray when he says the winner will have “a commanding strategic advantage.”

At the challenge, the contenders have all decided to wear different colored outfits—how convenient! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing this a lot, so just for reference, the colors are:

Jesse – Blue
Peter – Green
Ahmed – Red
Ishe – Yellow
Sergio – Gray
Anthony – Black
Joey – Also Black
Alfonso – White

Sugar Ray tells them that the challenge is all about agility and quickness. It is an obstacle course with three legs, and the contenders will all be wearing boxing gloves.