The Contender Cup - more than a competition by David Statham Apr 30th 2008

Four years ago, boxing ‘legends' Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone entered a brand new, state of the art boxing gym on Raymond Avenue, California. The immaculate arena had been specifically designed for sixteen individuals who were about to be given the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that had the potential to change their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, forever. Coming with it, a boxing ‘title' and a million dollars in cash. Never had the ‘American Dream' ideology been so appropriate. The five-weight world champion and ‘Rocky' star stood in front of the star-struck challengers and introduced the rules to a new boxing competition called The Contender. Each week, after gruelling training and fitness challenges, two middleweight contestants, one from derived ‘East' and ‘West' teams, would fight. The winner would return to the remarkable living headquarters while the loser, went home. An appearance at Las Vegas' famous Caesars Palace beckoned for the final two challengers who would do battle for the right to be named ‘The Contender'. So after the knockouts and fallouts of 16 engaging weeks, (televised once a week on ITV) the stage was set at the prestigious Palace for the final fight. Hollywood's finest celebrities sat amongst the thousands who had made the journey to watch a, previously unheard of, fighter from East L.A. named Sergio Mora challenge world-ranked contestant Peter Manfredo Jr. After a third and fourth placed decider between Jesse Brinkley and Alfonso Gomez, seven one-sided rounds ensued resulting in a unanimous points victory for the slippery Sergio Mora. The man they call the ‘Latin Snake' enjoyed immediate celebrity. His picture was placed on the front cover of the historic Ring magazine and his name was blasted around various media outlets. As Sylvester Stallone had predicted, the unique Contender concept would change his life forever. The popularity of the first series meant a second series of the ‘reality' show quickly followed, this time broadcast on ESPN rather than on its predecessors channel, NBC. Another fantastic series culminated in ‘Bad Boy' Grady Brewer winning a split-decision over former IBF super featherweight world titlist Steve Forbes at the Staples Center in Las Vegas. A third series saw American-based Cameroonian Sakio Bika became the Contender champion, knocking out Jaidon Codrington in a pulsating eight rounds on 6th November 2007. Standing in the California gym four years ago, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone could have never have anticipated the tremendous effect the show would have, and continues to have, on numerous fighters careers. Peter Manfredo Jr picked himself up after the final loss, beat a couple of good-name opponents and then had a world title shot at super-middleweight king pin Joe Calzaghe. And Alfonso Gomez, who entered the first series with an unimpressive 10-2-1 record, challenged Miguel Cotto for his WBA welterweight title in Atlantic City over a fortnight ago (April 12th). Both were easily outclassed. And maybe they shouldn't have even been in the same ring as their vastly superior opponents. But such is the success and appeal of The Contender that it manages to provide a unique opportunity for, previously unheralded, fighters to prove that they belong. In the next two months, first series winner, Sergio Mora challenges Vernon Forrest for the latter's WBC light-middleweight belt and aforementioned Steve Forbes contests against ‘Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya. The Contender's success has been astronomical and the show has been reproduced all over the world, with France being the latest to copy the format. And last year the competition arrived in Britain, in the form of The Contender Cup. A Ryder Cup style boxing competition which pitted Sugar Ray Leonard's American ‘Contenders' against Barry McGuigan's British opponents. After six fights at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on March 30th (eight took place but due to limitations on television coverage, only six were in the competition) the Americans got the victory, winning the tournament four fights to two. Despite the result (for British fans) the show was a triumph, a night of entertainment which provided some enthralling contests. Freddy Curiel's eight round stoppage of Ross Minter was the pinnacle of the boxing on display. It's to the delight of boxing fans that the Contender Cup will return later this year. American broadcaster ESPN has turned down the chance to air the programme, a body blow for the show, which is already reeling from the popularity of Barry Hearn's Prizefighter series. But it will take a knee and then get up to fight on because The Contender will, as Executive Producer Jeff Wald says, ‘never die'. The venue for the impending competition isn't yet confirmed but London's O2 Arena - which is widely touted to be Britain's new home of boxing - is among many being considered. But as anticipation grows for the latest Contender instalment, one can only wonder if Sugar Ray Leonard, will yet again find himself stood in front of another future world title challenger.

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Fair comment ! - David Statham May 4th 2008, 06:15:43 by bbn kid Rocky isn't real ? Try telling Ivan Drago that ! Thanks for your comment, Martin. Fair point made... Sylvester Stallone is a 'legend' is certain respects for all he has done for the sport. However, he isn't comparable to Sugar Ray Leonard !! But then again, has Sugar Ray got his statue up on the famous Philladelphia steps ? ! Only joking... David.   Legends ? sorry mate only 1 legend! May 1st 2008, 12:10:20 by martin.lathbury@btin Please don't insult true boxing legends by including Sylvester Stallone. Rocky isn't real and the fights in the films are a joke, wake up mate!! (Ed. responds - 'Rocky isn't real?'...confused expression...heart racing...'Come on, next you'll be telling me Father Christmas isn't real! Good try mate!' :-) )