Quote Originally Posted by RozzySean View Post
This reminds me of Gomez beating Gatti. We didn't realize how completely shot Gatti was and we didn't give Gomez enough credit. Contender guys take a lot of crap around here. Same thing with Vera and Andy Lee. Feliciano sparked out the much hyped Delvin Rodriguez. Manfredo went the distance with Lacy in a fairly close fight (Giampa had the fight even in rounds, with Lacy only ahead because of the knockdown).

Just because the show made these guys more famous than other equally good or better up and comers does not make them crap or incapable of become excellent fighters. I'm not sure any of them will be ATGs, but they are better than a lot of people think.
Agreed.Ive been guilty of taking swipes at the concept & execution of the whole Contender show,as well as the over hyping up of some guys.Ive seen people act as if These fighters first entry into the sport was with the show when in fact all of them were in the professional ring many times prior.The show was an opportunity ,a shot in the arm to revitalize respected careers & reset.Gomez ,Mora,Bundrage, etc all beat there big fight former champions and will undoubtedly be in additional big stage bouts.Manfredo,Forbes were already established fighters and used show as a springboard also.I will say with some certainty though that None of them will be ultimately remembered as all time greats,but you sure can not begrudge them for trying there arse's off & going as far as possible.I expected Forrest to crush Mora based on the big picture of careers and skillset...I was wrong.Mora did what he had to do and grabbed his moment and title..Im not sold on him as the heir apparent in the big time,way to much posturing for me.