Contender Commentary – Episode 7, Juan Comes Out Smelling like a De La Rosa by Panndyra, aka the Goddess of Chaos
I want to comment – this is a commentary, so I have the right. I think Ishe Smith, who I had originally picked to win this whole thing – is nothing but a hypocrite. I am withdrawing my endorsement of him. (I’m sure he’ll be sooooo upset, right!?!)
He had called Ahmed Kaddour out from like the first week and it took him three weeks to finally give in and fight him. He also mentioned that he did not want other people, namely his team to pick his fights for him. He had to face his own destiny. Well, he and his team then decided that they would ‘pick’ the fights for everyone else.
Well, I don’t think too much of that. The only thing about this competition that’s team-oriented are the challenges. This is an individual competition with ONE WINNER!!! Yes, ONE WINNER. The team doesn’t win the competition. One fighter wins.
Anthony Bonsante lied to his teammates and chose his own destiny. Do I think he chose his closest competitor in Brett Cooper? I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem to be so. Brett fought very hard. So did Anthony. He fought like an animal, actually. It was a very aggressive fight.
Ishe had no real right to be upset at Anthony. Yes, Brett was his friend. However, Ishe over-reacted in true Ishe Smith fashion. He didn’t even go to the reward dinner with Ja Rule to showcase his point. He also fired up other people in the house.
Brett is a grown man. He knew what he signed on for. Anthony is a grown man. You don’t need to agree with his decision. It’s NOT about you, Ishe.
This week the winners of the team challenge get to choose not the last one but the last two fights. It’s a biggie. The West wants to earn it but no less so than the East. Every fighter wants to have a hand in deciding his own fate. It’s only fair.
Juan De La Rosa, from Texas (and since when did Texas become an “East Coast” state? I wanna know!), told Joey Gilbert, who’s dad is in Afghanistan, that if it comes down to it, he wants to choose his best match-up – and that’s Tarick. OUCH!
Joey is being disregarded all around. First, Anthony takes his planned fight. Then, Juan tells him basically that he’s perceived as the weakest link. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Oh well! Next week, Joey gets to fight Jimmy Lange.
This week it was Juan vs. Tarick – the young kid vs. the experience fighter who had a title shot and got completely dissed. I wasn’t sure who I wanted to win. They both had a bit of the underdog factor. It’s not like the “Rocky” movies where, each time, Rocky had to overcome some significant odds – everyone has things to work through.
That’s something I really like about this show. Everyone in life – no matter who they are or what you think they have going for them has challenges. No one’s life is perfect. Everyone is an underdog sometimes.
Tonight Juan won his bout. The East got another much-needed win. Juan fought for his deceased grandpa and his dad, who was watching. Tarick fought for his pretty wife, Dena, and his little girl, Ava. Tarick has a successful real estate business to go back to and a cool new website at http://www.tarick.com
Unfortunately, boxing has left a hole in his heart. It’s what he wanted to do to build a legacy for his family’s future. As a mother, I can understand that. For me, it’s hard watching these guys beat the crud out of each other and then go home. It’s also hard as I look at myself in my early 30s and feel like my days are numbered in certain things.
I like almost all of them. My vote is for either Peter Manfredo Jr. or Sergio Mora. Those are my two favorites at this point. I am sure it’ll be subject to change.
No matter who you like – watch the show. It’s worth it. Great human drama for ‘free’.
About the author: Panndyra is the Goddess of Chaos. When she’s not ruining lives, she’s writing about Reality TV. Email her at panndyra@realityshack.com if you have questions for her. She’ll try to be nice.
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