The first fight in the semi-final round came this past Tuesday night. Leading up to that however, Ray seized an opportunity to take the final four to his beautiful home to show them what hard work and dedication could bring them. He showed a picture of his father, and told them that it was because of him that he turned pro. He had no intention of being a professional fighter, but his father was ill and they needed the money. He won his first fight, medical bills were paid, and it went from there.

Then, in a classy Ray move, he said that even though four men were fighting in the semi-finals, there were five winners, and that the fifth should also be with them. With that, Paul Smith joined the group. I thought this was a good move. Smith did beat David Banks, and while he did not have enough points to continue on (and would not have been medically cleared to fight regardless) he did win his fight.

Fight time, and we were ready for Jaidon Condrington and Wayne Johnson to battle for a place in the Contender finale. Hopefully, no one was in line for some food or drink, because in just 1:17 into round number one, Condrington put Johnson to the canvas. He got up at the nine count, but referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight when he felt Wayne was not fit to continue.

 When I spoke with Johnson the next day I reminded him of what he said on television, that he never saw the punch coming. “No, I never saw it coming,” he repeated. “I got a little over-anxious. I put my head down and tried to throw the big right hand without a jab. He caught me with a punch right on the temple.”

I was wondering how much he remembered and whether he was out at all after the huge right hand by Codrington. “Yeah, when I saw the fight the only thing I remember was when I was trying to get up,” he said.

And what about the stoppage? Did he feel it was right? “Well, when I got up I was a little wobbly. He pushed me back and saw my legs weren’t under me, so he kind of did the right thing. I would have rather not have the stoppage, though.”

But if you will remember, it was Wayne who gave the Blue Team its first win, thanks to his victory over Miguel Hernandez. I wanted to know a little bit about that fight that got him to the semi-finals. “Well,” he told me, “I really worked my jab in that fight. I concentrated on that, and I was pleased with the fight. Hernandez was tougher than I expected.”

As all the others, Johnson was satisfied with his Contender experience. “I learned so much from the trainers, Pepe and Buddy, and Sugar Ray. I’m a lot better fighter. I made friends that I keep in contact with.”

Wayne has stayed in training, and will face the loser of the Sam Soliman/Sakio Bika fight during the Contender finale.

This was an emotional time for Codrington, who began to cry after his victory. You may recall, his father had passed away during the beginning of his Contender journey, and his brothers had come to join him and watch this semi-final fight. Jaidon is focused and ready for his final test against either Soliman or Bika. After his fight however, Ray sent him home so that he could have some time to be with his family and mourn the death of his father.

That left Sam and Sakio in the house alone. Ten beds and two people – how strange the house is now without the fun and yes, bickering, of all of the competitors. Soliman and Bika must look at each other, realizing there is no one else to talk with, knowing that they will have to face off for one of the most important fights of their career.

So next week we will know who will fight for that Contender gold. Both men are tough, and I am expecting a good fight.

Be safe and God Bless,

Viva La Raza,

Barb.