Week three and fight number two on The Contender saw the Gold Team with the power to choose the next fight, thanks to Jaidon Codrington’s victory over Brian Vera. With that first fight out of the way, it was now the general feeling in the house that Max Alexander was the one who liked to stir the pot a bit. He and Sam Soliman had a little exchange of words, and while there was nothing nasty said, it gave us a hint as to who might take part in the next match.

Those speculations proved to be true, as Soliman and Alexander would be the second pair of boxers to face off against each other in the scheduled five round fight. Sam explained that he picked Max because he wanted to fight the best. Alexander later told me that he felt good about that. “It should do wonders for my career,” Max told me. “For him to call me out first because he said I was the best was a great feeling. People will know my name.”

Unlike the first fight, this one went the scheduled five rounds. I can’t say this was a pretty fight, but it was an entertaining one. Soliman has a very awkward style of fighting. According to Alexander, “It is so awkward it’s amazing. It takes five or six rounds to figure him out.” Uh oh. Again, this is only a five rounder.

Sam may have been a bit of a graceless opponent, but Max had a trick of his own to try. He did all his sparring right handed, but he is actually a southpaw. I told him that I figured most of the fighters would know that he fought unorthodox. His response was that he decided to try and confuse everyone, as well as trying to throw Soliman off his game during their fight.

The match was a bit wild and wooly. Both men alternately landed punches and then missed wildly. Both of them were rocked by some of those hits. When the bell rang after the final round I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. One thing did surprise me though, and that was the unanimous decision. I really thought there would be a split decision. But no, we had 48-46, 49-45, and 50-44, all in favor of Sam Soliman.

I wondered if that decision was also a surprise to Alexander. “Yes, I was really surprised,” he told me. “I thought it was a great fight and a close fight. But I ran out of gas,” he continued. “I had nothing left in the tank. Sam was in great shape. I’m not making excuses, but I’m really a light heavyweight. I had to lose a lot of weight.”

I asked him just how much weight he had to drop. “Twenty seven pounds in one month,” he told me. “And I didn’t do it the right way.” Alexander was quick to point out that he could have beaten Sam if he had been stronger, or fought in his own weight class.

I asked Max if he knew what was next in line for him, but he’s not sure right now. “I’m in the dark, just like you are, about the finale,” he said. “I’m training like I have a fight scheduled. But the show opened doors for me.”

Alexander is glad for his Contender experience and definitely plans on continuing to follow his dream. I want to thank him for his time, and wish him good luck in the future.

Congratulations to Sam Soliman. This 34-year-old fitness king who sometimes impersonates a pit bull gave the Gold Team another reason to celebrate. While Gold Team Captain Buddy McGirt is thrilled, Pepe Correa, leader of the Blue Team, is not happy, and that is an understatement. It will be interesting to see just what unfolds next week.

Be safe and God Bless,

Viva La Raza,

Barb.