The Contender: Episode 6 Recap!

October 9, 2007

By Matt Richardson

Paul Smith won a five-round split decision over David Banks but due to the close nature of the bout and his subsequent medical ineligibility was eliminated from "The Contender" tournament anyway on Tuesday night's episode on ESPN.

Smith, 21-0, 13 KO's won by scores of 48-47 (twice) with the third card tabbing Banks a winner by a 49-46 margin.

Smith was cut under the right eye and on the bridge of his nose however and was not allowed to go on in the tournament. Banks, 14-3-1,2 KO's also heads home.

With the four-semifinalists being Jaidon Codrington, Sakio Bika, Sam Soliman and Wayne Johnsen, the four final fights were selected.

Codrington will go up first against Johnsen while Soliman will attempt to repeat his 2002 win over Bika in the second fight of the semi-finals. Both of those bouts will be eight rounds, not five.

The results of the first round of fights are as follows:
1. Jaidon Codrington TKO 2 Brian Vera
2. Sam Soliman W U 5 Max Alexander
3. Wayne Johnsen W U 5 Miguel Hernandez
4. Sakio Bika W U 5 Donny McCrary
5. Paul Smith W S 5 David Banks

There will be no episode next week; former first season alum Alfonso Gomez will instead take on Ben Tackie in a live fight televised by the network. First season winner Sergio Mora will also see action on the undercard.