Who's Playing the Game? – The Contender, Episode 10by carpesomediem
In the first second round elimination, Ishe Smith was finally sent home after his competition singled him out. Sergio Mora is the first contender to move on to the third round.
Since Ishe was eliminated, the camaraderie among in the suite after the fight is stellar. Everyone has come together and celebrates as a team, even though they are all fighting for the same prize. Ishe's negative attitude and influence on the competition is finally over.
The following day during their training, the boxers engage in talk of the next round and what's in store next. While most are looking forward to it, some like Jesse, realize that things are heating up and because of that, the stakes are much higher than any other time in any of their boxing careers. Alfonso takes to the ring for some sparring with the trainers while reflecting that he hasn't fought for real since week one, where he defeated Peter, who watches on eagerly in awe of how far he's come. However, Ahmed, wasn't impressed, which doesn't come as a surprise. "He's nothing," he says of Alfonso while watching from a corner. Even though Alfonso's sparring partner begins to buckle under the punishment, Ahmed still remains unimpressed as he takes the ring with a partner. "I knew me and Ishe were the best fighters. Ishe's gone. I'm the best," he smiles.
Sly and Sugar Ray come down to meet with the remaining contenders. "Sergio, congratulations on your victory last night. And more importantly, you're the first in the final four," Sly says, handing him a medallion with a charm shaped into the Roman numeral for four. Sergio was then asked to pick one other boxer to accompany him on his reward, and he picks Alfonso. "I can't wait to see you two at this reward," Stallone beams, "This is going to make my year."
"You ready for a brave new adventure?" Sly asks as he takes the driver's seat on their way to the reward. They drive up to a golf course. "Me and Alfonso are two Mexicans. We're just use to cutting the grass at a golf course," Sergio jokes. They're given a full golfing outfit. "It's not my style, it's a little dorky," Alfonso says. Sly and Sugar Ray coach them in how to hit a golf ball, as they've never done it before, but they kept at it and eventually they were making decent shots, even though they missed more balls than they hit.
"Sly's very good at golfing, but they play a lot," Sergio says, aiming for a deer that he's amazed at on the course. They decide to take a round of golf and begin to hit, Sly out-hitting all of them. "That's not bad," he says of one of his own shots. Alfonso and Sergio make some good shots and are amazed at how much fun they are having now. Alfonso reflects on how they all hung out like friends and how amazing that felt. "I'll probably never be a golfer or dress like a golfer," Alfonso laughs. Sugar Ray gives them a set of golf clubs each. They begin egging one another on in as they end their day and drive their carts back to the club.
During the reward, the rest of the boxers hung out in the loft and then they decide to go for a run as well. Jesse talks about wanting to fight Anthony. "If I can beat him, I'm going to feel good going into the third round," he says. Peter discusses how all Ishe wanted to do during his match was to knock his competitor out, and that is one of the many reasons he lost to Alfonso. The idea of a rematch against Peter and Alfonso might also be put on the table going into the third round. "Right now I'm looking out for Jesse and Manfrado," Joey says of his strategy. Joey managed to become "friends" with Ahmed. He convinced Ahmed that he wanted him to win and that he would do what he could to ensure it, even if it meant making the match Ahmed wanted against Alfonso.
For this week's challenge, the contenders are taken to the Santa Anita Race Track and are to race in two legs around a horse track. They will be pulling buggies with one family member in it. The first boxer to make it to the finish line wins the challenge and the right to either fight or play matchmaker; the winner would also take home a Toyota truck. Earl on Ahmed and Jesse took the lead but eventually Ahmed fell out and eliminated in the first leg. Anthony's hamstring began to weaken and he pulled it while running, which also took him out before the first leg even ended. Jesse, Peter and Joey make it to the second leg, but Jesse was too tired to continue so he slowed down to rest taking him out of contention. Joey was assured the win and made it to the finish line but dropped his buggy and stopped before crossing it allowing Peter to take the win, because he felt he deserved the truck more than he did. Thus, Peter wins the challenge and the power.
Anthony goes in to see the trainer after the run. "I'm fine," he barks. "In order to take me out of this tournament, they will have to take me out in a body bag. I'm not in a body bag, yet." He explains later that he pushed it too far because his daughter was watching, and he didn't want her to see him quit. He cries as the doctor works it. "I told him a little bit," he says of when the doctor asked him if it hurt. He covered his face with his hat so he couldn't see the pain and force him out of the competition. "I'm not going to quit," he cries in his room. "It doesn't look good right now," the doctor tells him when he asks if he can fight tomorrow. He asks for painkillers, but the doctor orders him to ice it instead. "He's hurt. Ain't it funny how that works," Joey beams. "Karma man, it's circular." He's talking to the trainer. "If I was Peter, I'd call me out," Anthony says of his choice. Jesse jokes with him, but Anthony knows he won't tell him who's fighting this week.
Meanwhile, Sergio has begun to think about what Joey did for Peter during the challenge and realizes just what is going on. "I started thinking this guy has something up his sleeve," he says. He talks of a book, The 48 Laws of Power, that he read after Joey recommended to him. He quotes the book and notes that this is Joey's entire strategy. "This guy can't win the tournament through fight, he can only linger," he notes. "What Joey said was so amazing but it can even so amazingly deceptive," he smiles as he tells Peter and Jesse, but neither wants to accept it. Joey tells Sugar Ray and his trainer how great he is and how he doesn't give up. The trainer confronts him about his strategy. "It's just too good to be true," he tells Joey who is blowing them off. "He's playing the [crap] out of all of you," another trainer tells the boxers in the shower. Sergio calls Joey the Italian Snake now for his deceptive measures once they really realize what he is doing. Peter doesn't look like he's buying any of it. Sergio tries to convince him to fight Joey tomorrow, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like it'll go down that way. "Joey is awesome. He's like the king of the challenges. For him to do that, I appreciate it and all, but there can only be one winner here," Peter says.
Peter decides to be matchmaker and calls to toe the line Alfonso and Ahmed. Peter admitted he wouldn't pick Joey because he gave him the truck and that he wouldn't pick Anthony because of his injury. "I'm going to one step closer to winning the million dollars when I beat Alfonso," Ahmed says, not having even the slightest respect for his upcoming match. "I don't want to fight Joey after he gave me a truck. A lot of people in there are trying to mess with my head," Peter says, "I don't believe he's like that." Sergio vowed to get Joey out at whatever cost necessary.
With an hour left before the fight, both boxers prepared in their respective lockerooms before taking to the ring. With their families in the crowd, they come out, Alfonso first. "Seeing my family brings me back to reality why I'm here. I'm here to win the million dollars to provide them with a better future," he beams. Next comes Ahmed, "It's another night where I'm going to fight. I'm going to beat him," he says, coming out slowly and blowing a kiss to his fiancée before entering the ring.
Round 1: They come out, Alfonso makes the first hits. Ahmed waits for openings, but Alfonso keeps nailing him. They play defensively; Ahmed lands a killer jab and gives him momentum to take on Alfonso. They back up, Alfonso jabs and steps back, Ahmed misses several shots which give Alfonso an opening to come in and rip apart Ahmed. He backs up, continuing to back up, and gets in a few shots when the time is right, but Alfonso keeps landing more punches. Round goes to Alfonso.
Round 2: Ahmed comes in first but quickly goes defensive. He's waiting too long to make hits, but he gets in a round of punches that sends Alfonso backwards. Ahmed is much faster, Alfonso keeps landing jabs, but he's taking Ahmed's punches without blocking them. Alfonso gets in two uppercuts and Ahmed goes completely defensive, there's nothing he can do, he's hurt and he's running away. He's just trying to save himself from getting hurt. Round goes to Alfonso.
Round 3: Ahmed lands a few punches and Alfonso just takes them again. Alfonso gets him to the ropes and attacks him with a flurry of punches all over his body and head. They make it back to the center of the ring, break apart, and then Ahmed comes back in. Ahmed lands a punch and they stop the match, because Alfonso's mouthpiece went flying out, they call back the round and Alfonso comes out strong and fast. He's nailing Ahmed and there's nothing he can do to stop him. Alfonso is on fire and won't stop. Round goes to Alfonso.
Round 4: Ahmed is out of breath and tired. Alfonso reaches for a punch but Ahmed is running away. Ahmed lands a few punches but is playing very defensive, waiting for an opening. Alfonso chases him, but it's slow. He gets nailed in the face and Ahmed is hurt, ducking and running away. Alfonso keeps going at it, but he gets smacked in the face with a right hook. Ahmed gathers some steam, and they exchange a boatload of punches before breaking apart again. Alfonso chases him more and lands a few. Round goes to Ahmed.
Round 5: Tommy tells Ahmed he has to knock out Alfonso to win otherwise he's going home again. Ahmed comes in first, and they exchange punches, but they're both tired. Ahmed lands some punches but Alfonso lands more, and they are both playing slow and defensive, because they're tired. They circle on another, and Ahmed misses a crucial punch that brings Alfonso to the ropes and he goes defensive. Ahmed keeps punching and Alfonso goes defensive trying not to get hurt and get knocked out. Alfonso falters back, he's dazed and he can't protect himself. He comes back though and they lockup, Alfonso falls over onto Ahmed, bringing him to the ropes. Alfonso jabs Ahmed in the face after he shows off and comes back, getting him several times, and Ahmed's lost his steam. Round goes to Alfonso.
The judge's scorecard is in by unanimous decision: Alfonso Gomez wins! Kaddour walks away, upset at his loss, while Gomez's people celebrate. They hug, and Ahmed just shakes his head. "I won, and I reached deep down and gave it my all," Alfonso says. "The best reward for me is to see how proud my parents and brothers are for me."
Ahmed heads back to the lockeroom. He cries and Brandi, his fiancée, consoles him with a hug. "I'm sorry," she says. "All right, now I'm sitting here again," Ahmed says. "I hope you guys like what you saw. I tried what I could. I do what I can do. It was a tough fight. I would like to say I appreciate it again, I'm very proud of you guys. You voted me back, and you gave me a chance, even though I think I'm the best fighter of the show. I'm out of luck right now. One thing I know today is I fought a better fight today. Ishe, I'd like to tell you, I'm coming to see you in the loser's mansion. Hopefully, I'd like to start doing some movies. I love it. It's my dreams. I'd like to be something in Hollywood. To you Alfonso, I hope you are going to make it all the way, just for one thing, because I like you. You need to be careful. Don't take so many punches. Baby, be careful, I wish you all the best in this tournament. I hope you're going to make it all the way. I think this was the best fight in the show. Look right here. I love all you guys on The Contender. Even you Ishe."
Ahmed, defeated once again, heads to the wall to once again hang up his gloves. However, unlike any of the fighters before him and even his first loss, he walks out with his head held high. "I'm going to be back," he says.
Carpesomediem is an aspiring freelance writer from Lancaster, Pa. who enjoys music, movies and writing about the way the world works; you can contact her at carpesomediem@realityshack.com to talk about this week's episode or anything at all.
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