look at the contender season 3 fighters! Incredible list!

[Illmatic]

Max Alexander (14-1, 2 KOs)- very tall, fast, prospect, saw him fight at the blue horizon before.
David Banks (14-2-1, 2 KOs),
Saiko Bika (22-3-2, 14 KOs)- Pushed Calzaghe in a tough fight
Henry Buchanan (14-1, 11 KOs),
La Farrell Bunting (16-3-1, 16 KOs),
Jaidon Codrington (16-1, 12 KOs)- The kayo artist that Allen Green kayoed in 19 seconds,
Miguel Hernandez (20-5, 10 KOs),
Wayne Johnsen (16-1, 9 KOs),
Donny McCrary (23-5-2, 13 KOs),
Les Ralston (16-2, 9 KOs),
Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs),
Paul Smith (20-0, 12 KOs),
Sam Soliman (33-9, 13 KOs)- the perennial contender-fought Winky Wright close,
Brian Vera (14-0, 9 KOs),
Rhoshii Wells (18-2-2, 10 KOs) and
Rubin Williams (29-2-1, 16 KOs)- fought a good fight agains Lacy, great jab, but doesnt use his footwork enough

this is the greatest group the contender has ever put together

[WhataRock]

I seriously think Soliman is a massive chance of cleaning this field up, imagine him just going all out for 5 rounds.

I also think Bika has to be up there with the favourites, he is a hard man and hella strong.

Wells??? Where has he been and isnt he a jnr middle.

[bulakenyo]

what weight class will they fight on?

I hope they show the full fights on the show, not just the edited highlights.

[Illmatic]

I seriously think Soliman is a massive chance of cleaning this field up, imagine him just going all out for 5 rounds.

I also think Bika has to be up there with the favourites, he is a hard man and hella strong.

Wells??? Where has he been and isnt he a jnr middle.

I think Codrington will have a great chance as well. I love Rubin Williams skills, but he just isnt active enouogh, especially for the contender with the smaller ring and fewer rounds.

Soliman definitely should have the best chance, I dont see anyone in the list with great enough D to counter the million punches he throws. But what's funny is that Soliman, Bika, and Williams are already contenders. But what the hell, Steve Forbes was a titlist.

[Illmatic]

what weight class will they fight on?

I hope they show the full fights on the show, not just the edited highlights.

theyll show the whole fights the next day on espn2 i believe

[DanePugilist]

Bika will take this.

[KO Boxing]

But what the hell, Steve Forbes was a titlist.
That's very true, although he was admittably a lot smaller... Have to admit I definately got behind Forbes during the last Contendor. Don't know why but I'll always love that line of his, "Ima win this thing, dammit". Looked pretty ordinary in the final, though.

But definately looks like the best season yet, with better trainers, and a better format. While I THINK the show may still be edited fights, if we wish we will still be able to catch the full fights later on ESPN2 (that's how I took it from fightnews, but wouldn't have a clue :huh I think its good news about the full fights though, its the ONLY way to know how the fight went for sure).

[Illmatic]

That's very true, although he was admittably a lot smaller... Have to admit I definately got behind Forbes during the last Contendor. Don't know why but I'll always love that line of his, "Ima win this thing, dammit". Looked pretty ordinary in the final, though.

But definately looks like the best season yet, with better trainers, and a better format. While I THINK the show may still be edited fights, if we wish we will still be able to catch the full fights later on ESPN2 (that's how I took it from fightnews, but wouldn't have a clue :huh I think its good news about the full fights though, its the ONLY way to know how the fight went for sure).

I was rooting for him too b.c he has the best skills of the bunch. I was pissed he lost the finale, but hey, grady brewer deserved it, despite being the much bigger fighter (hes fought at middleweight a bunch of times), and brewer would trade in that contender belt for forbes title belt any day of the week.

[CASH_718]

Codrington is going to take it. He has the ability to throw 100+ punches a round.

Should be a great season anyway with alot of different personalities and styles.

[KO Boxing]

I was rooting for him too b.c he has the best skills of the bunch. I was pissed he lost the finale, but hey, grady brewer deserved it, despite being the much bigger fighter (hes fought at middleweight a bunch of times), and brewer would trade in that contender belt for forbes title belt any day of the week.
100% agreed. Brewer deserved everything he got. Great way for him to leave the sport, too (he's not coming back, right? Last I heard).

[Fab2333]

what weight class will they fight on?

I hope they show the full fights on the show, not just the edited highlights.

well the season that took place in london, they showed the whole fight, so I hope they do continue to do that

[Illmatic]

Codrington is going to take it. He has the ability to throw 100+ punches a round.

Should be a great season anyway with alot of different personalities and styles.

he wont be throwing a 100 punches a round against Soliman. I think Alexander would be a good fight for him. A fellow prospect who doesnt hit hard.

[CASH_718]

he wont be throwing a 100 punches a round against Soliman. I think Alexander would be a good fight for him. A fellow prospect who doesnt hit hard.Soliman don't hit hard. Codrington would go punch for punch with him no problem.

[CASH_718]

Soliman is too small to take this tournament... Bika has got to be the favorite.Yeah honestly Soliman should be fighting at 154 and some of these guys are natural 175 pounds and some have fought as high as Cruiserweight.

I don't think Bika will take it. I think there are a few guys that can box around him for 3 or 4 rounds.

[KayEpps]

This is the best group that they've put together.

If they keep this up - they have a good chance to keeping the series going for a while. And it's only helping boxing as a whole.

Great Job by Sugar Ray, the Contender Series, and ESPN. Let's hope they keep up the good work.

[A-50]

Jaidon Codrington is going to get KOed his chin is terrible. I bet he gets knocked out in his first fight.

[Sug3]

My 2 picks are paul smith and bika.

[Motor City Sam]

This is a pretty solid group of fighters. I'm pulling for my fellow Detroiter Rubin Williams.

[China_hand_Joe]

Saiko Bika (22-3-2, 14 KOs)- Pushed Calzaghe in a tough fight


Are you joking?

There was not one point in the fight were anyone even needed to consider the possiblity that Bika could win.

[China_hand_Joe]

That said, winning a round off Joe Calzaghe sets you up to win here, easily.

[IntentionalButt]

Of the guys that I've seen there all they're prety good fighters. Should be a season. Hopefully it rivals the 1st season because the 2nd was a huge let down compared to the 1st IMO.

This talent pool is head, shoulders, knees and toes above the first two seasons. This is going to be great.

[wechson]

I like Paul Smith and Bika. I worry about Codrington's chin, and how can you not after A Green? Smith, from what I've been told, is a real banger. And I've seen Bika in person and he is very tough and awkward. He had Bute for the first 5-6 rounds of their fight, and that was in Bute's back yard. He's a very tough out for this kind of competition.

[Snorkel]

Bika's going to be hard to beat here. He's a massive and naturally strong guy and I think that might be enough to beat some of the smaller, less proven guys. He's also, along with Soliman, fought the best competition by far. I think some people may be underating his boxing ability too; he was outboxed by guys a number of steps in class above the rest of this contender bunch.

[IntentionalButt]

Bunting and Buchanan are both B- fodder based on their showings in the ShoBox SMW tournament; but even as the weakest links on Season three they're still a class above any Contender alum to date; barring maybe Gomez.

[Amsterdam]

McCrory will be a factor, especially if he's matched with that china chinned joke Codrington.

[Guru_Too_You]

McCrory will be a factor, especially if he's matched with that china chinned joke Codrington.

Why?

Because he landed ONE good hook against Green?

He'd get sparked out by Codrington long before he could land that punch.

Bika, Soliman and Codrington are the hands on favorites IMHO.

[CASH_718]

Bunting and Buchanan are both B- fodder based on their showings in the ShoBox SMW tournament; but even as the weakest links on Season three they're still a class above any Contender alum to date; barring maybe Gomez.Stevie Forbes is better then Bunting, Buchanan and Gomez.

[Amsterdam]

Why?

Because he landed ONE good hook against Green?

He'd get sparked out by Codrington long before he could land that punch.

Bika, Soliman and Codrington are the hands on favorites IMHO.

McCrary is not a projection for a winner, I said 'factor'. Codrington nearly got taken out in his last against a complete can, he's awful and has gotten no better since being removed by Green.

McCrary however has been the underdog in a few fights and has put some guys out, he's got very good punching power from what I have seen on a few occassions and can get it there on 'lesser than B level' guys like Codrington.

[IntentionalButt]

Stevie Forbes is better then Bunting, Buchanan and Gomez.
Shit, my bad. :patsch Completely forgot about 2lb. Poor fellow should have got the decisions against both Brewer and Hopkins, but really doesn't belong anywhere near the weight classes they've featured on the Contender. Ditto Michael Clark.

[AG11]

This seems to have come out of nowhere! Definitely looking forward to watching this season. This is by far the best group of fighters on the show. Now, if only they can continue to do this...this show would gain a lot more respect amongst the boxing community.

[dwilson]

What weight is it being fought at? And what weights do the boxers usually fight at? It looks a good bunch of lads with talent, a real mixture. Hasnt one just fought Zolt Erdei for a light heavey belt?

I will be cheering on Paul Smith but He has not faced anyone decent. I would not be surprised if he got starched first round even if he is said to be in with a good shout of winning.

[nezy37]

What weight is it being fought at? And what weights do the boxers usually fight at? It looks a good bunch of lads with talent, a real mixture. Hasnt one just fought Zolt Erdei for a light heavey belt?

I will be cheering on Paul Smith but He has not faced anyone decent. I would not be surprised if he got starched first round even if he is said to be in with a good shout of winning.

supermiddleweight

[IntentionalButt]

supermiddleweight

and nearly all of these guys belong or have fought consistently at 168, unlike past seasons which mixed guys of disparate physical make-ups with no business in the ring together.

[wechson]

and nearly all of these guys belong or have fought consistently at 168, unlike past seasons which mixed guys of disparate physical make-ups with no business in the ring together.

Good point. Have to say though, sometimes these guys dont take that reality seriously, and make their own beds. Last year, Michael Clark took on K-9, and got his ass waxed. His fault for that one. However, Forbes was clearly the smaller man against a tough enough Brewer, and really made for a mismatch.

[Lampley]

This is a great setup. From what everyone is saying, the show itself will continue to feature edited fights, but ESPN will show the entire bouts later.

And Jeff Lacy apparently expressed interest in doing the show, but he wasn't healed up in time.

[wechson]

This is a great setup. From what everyone is saying, the show itself will continue to feature edited fights, but ESPN will show the entire bouts later.

And Jeff Lacy apparently expressed interest in doing the show, but he wasn't healed up in time.

I had read that Bute, Lacy, Green, and Adrande were all appraoched. At least the producers are going for it. And they've clearly listened to the fans.

[brooklyn1550]

I'd go with Sakio Bika or Sam Soliman

[Jinx]

Bika is going to be very tough to beat in this one...Soliman would be his biggest threat because of his workrate...

[pipe wrenched]

Max Alexander (14-1, 2 KOs)- very tall, fast, prospect, saw him fight at the blue horizon before.
David Banks (14-2-1, 2 KOs),
Saiko Bika (22-3-2, 14 KOs)- Pushed Calzaghe in a tough fight
Henry Buchanan (14-1, 11 KOs),
La Farrell Bunting (16-3-1, 16 KOs),
Jaidon Codrington (16-1, 12 KOs)- The kayo artist that Allen Green kayoed in 19 seconds,
Miguel Hernandez (20-5, 10 KOs),
Wayne Johnsen (16-1, 9 KOs),
Donny McCrary (23-5-2, 13 KOs),
Les Ralston (16-2, 9 KOs),
Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs),
Paul Smith (20-0, 12 KOs),
Sam Soliman (33-9, 13 KOs)- the perennial contender-fought Winky Wright close,
Brian Vera (14-0, 9 KOs),
Rhoshii Wells (18-2-2, 10 KOs) and
Rubin Williams (29-2-1, 16 KOs)- fought a good fight agains Lacy, great jab, but doesnt use his footwork enough

this is the greatest group the contender has ever put together

I completely agree Illmatic. I'm ready for the action. A thread earlier today someone was bitching about being tired of the contender.:-(

It's free show on a tuesday night, what the hell is there to complain about. Not to mention as a "boxing fan" what the hell is there better to do on a tuesday night??:deal

[teekay00]

i think Bika will do the best

[Laydown]

Bika will take this.

:good easily

[DanePugilist]

:good easilyYup, I almost feel sorry for the rest. Only Soliman has a slight chance, but he should stay at 160, really.

[Vantage_West]

Max Alexander (14-1, 2 KOs)- very tall, fast, prospect, saw him fight at the blue horizon before.
David Banks (14-2-1, 2 KOs),
Saiko Bika (22-3-2, 14 KOs)- Pushed Calzaghe in a tough fight
Henry Buchanan (14-1, 11 KOs),
La Farrell Bunting (16-3-1, 16 KOs),
Jaidon Codrington (16-1, 12 KOs)- The kayo artist that Allen Green kayoed in 19 seconds,
Miguel Hernandez (20-5, 10 KOs),
Wayne Johnsen (16-1, 9 KOs),
Donny McCrary (23-5-2, 13 KOs),
Les Ralston (16-2, 9 KOs),
Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs),
Paul Smith (20-0, 12 KOs),
Sam Soliman (33-9, 13 KOs)- the perennial contender-fought Winky Wright close,
Brian Vera (14-0, 9 KOs),
Rhoshii Wells (18-2-2, 10 KOs) and
Rubin Williams (29-2-1, 16 KOs)- fought a good fight agains Lacy, great jab, but doesnt use his footwork enough

this is the greatest group the contender has ever put togetherthats my bois there :good
especially banks he reminds me totally of shane mosley in how he fights

[Vantage_West]

That's very true, although he was admittably a lot smaller... Have to admit I definately got behind Forbes during the last Contendor. Don't know why but I'll always love that line of his, "Ima win this thing, dammit". Looked pretty ordinary in the final, though.

But definately looks like the best season yet, with better trainers, and a better format. While I THINK the show may still be edited fights, if we wish we will still be able to catch the full fights later on ESPN2 (that's how I took it from fightnews, but wouldn't have a clue :huh I think its good news about the full fights though, its the ONLY way to know how the fight went for sure).the dude was a lightwieght fighting grady brewer who fights at middlewieght:admin i didnt like it at all when both of them got through steve forbes is one of my favorite fighters very quick nice left hook to the body...

[Vantage_West]

well the season that took place in london, they showed the whole fight, so I hope they do continue to do thatnewcastle mate it's the difference between compton and brooklyn:lol:

[Vantage_West]

Jaidon Codrington is going to get KOed his chin is terrible. I bet he gets knocked out in his first fight.well to be honest if you get hit by allen green in a four combo everyone landning one your chin and with his signature left hook to times yeah anyone is going to look weak chinned

[Super_Fly_Sam]

:happy tehy got some Aussies in there....


GO SOLIMON AND BIKA

[Vantage_West]

and nearly all of these guys belong or have fought consistently at 168, unlike past seasons which mixed guys of disparate physical make-ups with no business in the ring together.take a look at najai turpin :patsch guy didnt have a chance 5'4 wieghed in at 147 usually but went to 154 and had to make a catchwieght of 157 to fight mora what on earth

[Sug3]

I picked bika and paul smith,but i'm gonna go with paul smith to win it all,this guy showed the best overall technical skills to me.

[fists of fury]

Is it fair though that established pro's are allowed to fight in the show?

[Illmatic]

Is it fair though that established pro's are allowed to fight in the show?

they are all established pros. I think you meant that some are already contenders. I think its fair, b/c these are good prospects and its only 5 round fights. I think that makes up for the advantages more established fighters would have in a regular match.

[IntentionalButt]

Is it fair though that established pro's are allowed to fight in the show?

Established pros that had shots at the big time and fell short. That puts them in about the same boat as prospects without major promotional backing. The common thread is they're all hungry guys desperate for a chance, for some it's their first, and for some it's arguably their last.

[Marnoff]

Codrington is going to take it. He has the ability to throw 100+ punches a round.

Should be a great season anyway with alot of different personalities and styles.

Soliman will throw nonstop the entire fight.

If Soliman or Bika don't take this, I'll be surprised.

I'm behind Soliman.

[Marnoff]

Established pros that had shots at the big time and fell short. That puts them in about the same boat as prospects without major promotional backing. The common thread is they're all hungry guys desperate for a chance, for some it's their first, and for some it's arguably their last.

Yep.

[Sheikh]

MAN besides 1 or 2 guys they all suck,. nothing imppressive

[Alo2006]

Max Alexander (14-1, 2 KOs)- very tall, fast, prospect, saw him fight at the blue horizon before.
David Banks (14-2-1, 2 KOs),
Saiko Bika (22-3-2, 14 KOs)- Pushed Calzaghe in a tough fight
Henry Buchanan (14-1, 11 KOs),
La Farrell Bunting (16-3-1, 16 KOs),
Jaidon Codrington (16-1, 12 KOs)- The kayo artist that Allen Green kayoed in 19 seconds,
Miguel Hernandez (20-5, 10 KOs),
Wayne Johnsen (16-1, 9 KOs),
Donny McCrary (23-5-2, 13 KOs),
Les Ralston (16-2, 9 KOs),
Danny Santiago (29-3-1, 19 KOs),
Paul Smith (20-0, 12 KOs),
Sam Soliman (33-9, 13 KOs)- the perennial contender-fought Winky Wright close,
Brian Vera (14-0, 9 KOs),
Rhoshii Wells (18-2-2, 10 KOs) and
Rubin Williams (29-2-1, 16 KOs)- fought a good fight agains Lacy, great jab, but doesnt use his footwork enough

this is the greatest group the contender has ever put together

Dayum, that's a good line up :good

[IntentionalButt]

MAN besides 1 or 2 guys they all suck,. nothing imppressive

Lower your bar a little. It isn't called "The ATG" :roll:

[teekay00]

sakio Bika lost to sam soliman in 2002 by majority decesion. I think Bika is a much better fighter now and will come out on top.