Review: Contender Episodes 9 & 10

NBC aired episodes nine and ten of "The Contender" back-to-back. Not sure if they're still trying to boost viewer interest or just trying to burn through the remaining segments to get it over with. Either way, the field of fighters still vying for the $1 million prize has been whittled down to six. First, Ahmed Kaddour was voted back to replace injured Juan De La Rosa. Jesse Brinkley won the challenge and played matchmaker, selecting Sergio Mora to face the increasingly disliked Ishe Smith. The strategy worked as Mora outpointed Smith over five competitive rounds. Next, Joey Gilbert allowed Peter Manfredo Jr. to win the challenge and Manfredo paired up Alfonso Gomez and "Baby Face" Kaddour. Gomez absorbed some punishment in the fourth and fifth rounds but held on to take the decision, sending Kaddour home for the second time in the series. Coming attractions seem to suggest that next week would be Gilbert vs. Manfredo, leaving Brinkley vs. Anthony Bonsante as the only remaining bout in round two. "The Contender" remains entertaining but disappointing ratings suggest a "Contender II" may be a longshot . . .