Fight 7 & 8: To Be the Man, You've Got to Beat the Man - August 22

It’s a doubleheader as the remaining boxers in the first round duke it out for a shot at the round of 8.

Freddy Curiel is set to fight former world champion Steve Forbes, but after a phone call he may be having second thoughts. His girl gave him some of the wisest advice anyone could give a contestant on a reality show. Play for yourself. She told him to put aside his bravado and take the fight that would make it the easiest for him to advance to the next round (Jeff Fraza). Freddy hasn’t made a choice yet but maybe a pep talk from Sugar Ray will help.

Ray is still trying to absorb the last fight realizing that Ebo Elder was running the fight and in a brief moment Michael Stewart stole it all away. He reminds all of the boxers that this is their moment to man up and shine. With that it is time for the call out.

Blue team is in control and Freddy steps up to bat. He goes against the wishes of his girl and calls out Steve Forbes. That also sets the other match between Nick Acevedo and Jeff Fraza.

Jeff feels weird fighting Nick as the two have become friends, but we must all remember that this is a boxing competition not preschool

Freddy is visiting his kids in the contender family housing and feels that winning will help his kids’ future. His sons are confident but his wife is shaking with nerves. His wife, Mariel, is hoping that by him choosing this fight that Freddy will get his edge back.

In the other matchup, Nick is in the locker room and as he puts it he is starving to fight. His kids and family come to say hi and with that his nerves have left. He is fighting to keep a roof over his head so with purpose there is no room for nerves.

Jeff Fraza is calm and quiet with his Dad by his side in the locker room. After having come back to the show (left season one with chicken pox) he feels that he can’t mess up a second chance.

Out comes Fraza ready to battle, and Nick comes out right behind him. Fight on!

Fight 7: Jeff Fraza-Nick Acevedo

Rd. 1
Both fighters are being methodical, but Nick is clearly throwing more punches. No real damage on wither side but the action of Nick easily wins him the round.

Rd. 2
After some advice to shorten the distance between him and Nick, Jeff is still being timid. For good reason. When he finally does step in Nick deals him some heavy blows to the head and Jeff is in some real trouble. After taking a flurry of body shots, Jeff Fraza is 2 rounds down.

Rd. 3
Nick is tired after throwing so many punches and it shows, Jeff is finally landing some punches and Tommy yells at Nick to tie him up and stall his way through the round. This round was closer and Jeff probably pulled it out.

Rd. 4
A cut has developed over Jeff’s left eye and it’s time for a gut check. Both boxers are tired but Jeff is landing combination to Nick’s head at the best possible time. Finally showing some real aggression, Jeff has most likely tied up this fight.

Rd. 5
Cheers raise the roof as the round begins and Jeff comes out as the aggressor. About a minute in however he lets his guard down and what was once a fight has now turned into a brawl. Both boxers are taking a lot of punishment and in the final seconds Nick plasters Jeff back with a few good hooks.

Scorecards are in…

A unanimous decision… for Nick Acevedo!

With that Jeff ahs been sent packing (for the second time) from the Contender tourney, an honor that he can share with Peter Manfredo Jr.

Moving on!

Fight 8 - Freddy Curiel vs. Steve Forbes

Steve Forbes is in the locker room with his wife who basically acts as his agent. He fell in love with her at first sight and she is clearly supportive of his career. Freddy is realizing that he is going to have to be at his best to take out Steve Forbes. With a prayer, the fighters head out to the ring.

Rd. 1
Freddy and Steve work into the fight slowly, but when Freddy open up the fight really begins. Forbes takes some damage but it only seems to disturb the bulldog Forbes who comes back with an amazing ferocity. The shocker: Freddy has even more in the tank and delivers a second onslaught before the Bell, round to Curiel

Rd. 2
Each fighter is trying to fight smart so there is a lot of punching and counter punching. It takes almost a minute before the brawling takes full swing and Freddy takes about 15 uncontested shots. Forbes sends Freddy staggering into the ropes and has clearly changed the tone of this fight.

Rd. 3
After one of the most brutal beating in a single round seen so far this seasons, Freddy does manage to come back with a little force. This round is not nearly as crazy as the second and the flurry by Forbes at the end of this round may not have been enough to steal it.

Rd. 4
Forbes knows that he is down so this could get ugly. Early on both fighters are swinging wildly and only after the ref breaks them does Forbes think it is time for some showboating he waltzes right up to Curiel and nails him with an uppercut. This fight could be anywhere at this point.

Rd. 5

Freddy works the crowd at the start id the round and lands an early blow only to have Forbes return the favor. Both fighters are playing to the crowd almost as if this fight is going to be judges by an audience vote. Good luck picking a winner on this one, but it may be an upset.

Scorecards are in…

Unanimous decision again… this time for… Steve Forbes!

Freddy is heart broken and with good reason. He fought a heck of a fight. Probably the proudest loss this season. But a loss is still a loss and the second round is set. Here’s the Grid.

Week 9: Acevedo/Forbes
Week 10: Bundrage /Wright
Week 11: Brewer/Stewart
Week 12: Bravo/Balletto

Welcome to the quarterfinals.