A jubilant Sakio. Emily Harney photo

Sakio Bika became the third Contender Champion in an outstanding performance against the younger and less experienced Jaidon Codrington. Bika, originally from Cameroon but now living in Sydney, Australia, has faced the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Lucian Bute, and Marcus Beyer. He knows what his job is, and on this night he was ready to do it. And while greener by comparison, Codrington proved to be a great dance partner.

While on The Contender, Jaidon had two short matches on his way to the finale. He was responsible for the knockouts of both Brian Vera and Wayne Johnson, and looked to be by many the one to beat. Only one thing stood in his way, and unfortunately for him, that one thing was Sakio Bika. But man, what a show both men gave us.

These two put on such a super fight, that words of “Fight of the year,” and even “Fight of the decade,” were being heard. Sugar Ray Leonard later said that, “This is the fight of the year, no doubt. This is the kind of boxing that will take the sport back to how it was in my day.” To add to that even further, The Contender, a program that many felt was just another little reality show, gained notice and respect in a big way.

The strength of Sakio Bika. Emily Harney photo

My friend and sportscaster A.J. Vittone told me that he thought it was the best fight he’d ever seen. “I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and couldn’t get over how dramatic and action-packed that fight was,” he told me. “It was by far the most exciting fight I’ve seen in person, without question.” And believe me, he has seen a lot of fights!

How many fights have you been to where each man is knocked down in the first round? Codrington hit the canvass first, but was up quickly. Shortly thereafter, Jaidon returned the favor with a left hook that put down Sakio. Bika seemed to get the worst of things in the first three-minute exchange, but he came back as if nothing had happened in the second round.

This fight started as a war, and as it progressed, both men were determined to keep it that way. As the rounds ticked by, there were many times when it looked as if Bika had the upper hand, but Jaidon showed he was all heart as he fought back against the barrage that was Sakio.

A big swing by Jaidon Codrington. Emily Harney photo

Neither man would slow down, but Bika’s knowledge started to help him. He began a body assault that he continued for the rest of the fight. Jaidon would not fold up though, and kept on swinging for that home run. Back and forth through round six, these two exchanged punishment.

Round seven saw Bika relentless with his shots to the body of Codrington, and they were doing damage. Finally, with the clock showing 2:18, referee Dick Flaherty stopped the fight in the eighth round. Bika won the Championship – not to mention the $750,000 – but Jaidon had to have won respect.

It would have been a storybook finish – the young man who lost his father during the filming of The Contender and chose to stay on the show, fighting his way to the finale, and taking home the gold. But Jaidon has nothing to be ashamed of, and what he must have learned from this encounter will only make him a better fighter.

Neither boxer was present at the press conference. Both men were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Lou DiBella, Codrington’s promoter, said that the two men were in the same room, tired but fine, and were apparently discussing the incredible fight they had just been a part of. One other thing that DiBella did say was that anyone who thought Jaidon didn’t have a chin and couldn’t take a punch must be rethinking their views of him now. He feels that Jaidon is a true warrior and took a lot of punishment from Bika. I fully concur!

Both Leonard and Executive Producer Jeff Wald said that they hoped this is the fight that helps to put boxing back on the map. Vittone agreed. “That fight was exactly what boxing has lacked for quite some time. I couldn’t be prouder of our friends at The Contender.”

Sam Soliman on his way to victory. Emily Harney photo

In the bronze medal match, the very personable Sam Soliman showed that he is not just a nice guy when he won a unanimous decision over Wayne Johnson. In his six-round Super Middleweight contest, the scores were 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55. Soliman is so hard to fight due to his very unorthodox style that it must be frustrating to have to face him. Still, those scores are pretty good evidence that he dominated that fight, wouldn’t you say?

In the first fight that was televised, David Banks defeated Donny McCrary. Banks, you might recall, is the fighter that has never had an amateur fight. In fact, he taught himself to fight. David won a majority decision of 58-56, 58-56, and 57-57.

Wald was not just pleased with the main event, but the entire evening. “That fight exemplified everything we wanted this show to be. But there were no losers tonight. Everyone fought their hearts out.” Then he said one other thing that made me extremely happy. He said that there would be many more seasons of The Contender.

So with that thought to keep me happy, congratulations to the newest Contender Champion, Sakio Bika!

Thanks to all of those who helped me throughout this third season of The Contender. I hope to be able to cover other fights involving Contender alumni during the year until season four.

Be safe and God Bless,

Viva La Raza,

Barb.