By: Christopher Roche
Is it any suprise that two Brick City area fighters rose to the top on episode 1? Wayne Johnsen and Jaidon Codrington are both consummate professionals who went out to California in top shape, and that made all the difference as the first tests were conditioning related. As a result of their stellar performances in the drills, Johnsen and Codrington were among the first selected to the Contender Team.
The athletes who were invited back to try again on day two entered the ring and sparred. Those who did not make the team on day two were invited back for a third day of sparring, this time with special sparring partners, Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Sergio Mora.
Mora looked impressive in sparring, but it is tough to tell if the editors were hyping him. Mora is a past Contender Champion who who has a fight coming up, so a little hype for the ESPN audience is highly logical and possible.
My impressions of the show are as follows:
1) Good attempt at crossover appeal with Adam Carolla’s guest appearance.
2) “Sugar” Ray Leonard is a master at over-acting. Everytime I see him try and strike a serious pose, I cannot help but picture Tommy Davidson’s impression of him on “In Living Color” (I just dated myself with that obscure reference).
3) Buddy McGirt is a classic, and the producers need to turn him loose. By the way, did anyone else notice that he chose DiBella fighter Codrington first for the Gold Team?
4) Does anyone really believe the Contender staff allowed a fighter to enter the contest 30 pounds over weight? Leonard and the trainers acted like they had no idea how heavy he was! Aaron Torres, of the Contender 2, once told me the staff is extremely strict with every detail, both physical and psychological, and I believe it is next to impossible that a fighter could slip onto the show two weight classes too high.
5) I will watch the next episode, but mainly because of Johnsen and Codrington.
6) If I had to pick a favorite right now, I would pick Sakio Bika. I know this is tape delayed, and the results have leaked out, but I honestly do not know who wins, and Bika is purely a guess.